Delhi Rolls Out Fuel Ban for Older Cars—Is Your Vehicle Affected?

In a significant move to curb vehicular emissions and address the ongoing air pollution crisis, the Delhi government has initiated a ban on the supply of fuel to overage vehicles starting today. The policy, which stems from directives issued earlier by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and supported by a Supreme Court mandate, targets end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) within the jurisdiction of the capital.

Also Read: Delhi to Ban Fuel for 15-Year-Old Vehicles from April 2025: What It Means for You?

Under the policy, diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years will no longer be eligible for refuelling at any petrol or diesel station in Delhi. The regulation will initially apply only within the boundaries of Delhi, with plans to extend the enforcement to select districts in the National Capital Region by the end of October.

To ensure effective implementation, the Delhi Transport Department, Delhi Traffic Police, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) have formed a joint task force. These agencies will collaborate to identify high-density vehicle zones and monitor compliance using technology-backed methods.

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A key part of the enforcement strategy is the deployment of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras across fuel stations. According to officials, 498 fuel stations in the city — comprising 382 petrol and diesel outlets and 116 CNG stations — have been equipped with ANPR systems. Additionally, the technology has been installed at three Inter-State Bus Terminals (ISBTs). The cameras will automatically scan vehicle number plates and match them against the VAHAN database to determine the vehicle’s fuel type and age. If the vehicle is identified as an ELV, alerts will be sent in real time to both fuel station operators and enforcement agencies. These alerts may trigger actions including denial of fuel, vehicle impoundment, or initiation of scrapping procedures.

The government has also trained fuel station staff to assist in the screening process. Given the varied operating hours of fuel stations, inspection teams will be deployed accordingly to ensure consistent checks throughout the day and night. The Transport Department has prioritised deployment at stations recording a higher number of ELV visits. These stations will be subject to routine inspections, and any violations will be reported in weekly compliance reports submitted to the CAQM and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Also Read: Delhi Government Likely To Limit How Many Petrol Or Diesel Cars Your Family Can Own In Order To Reduce Pollution

Although the new rules are currently limited to petrol and diesel stations, CNG vehicles are exempt from the enforcement for now. According to Delhi’s Transport Commissioner, Niharika Rai, no checks will be conducted at CNG stations at this stage, and vehicle owners using CNG fuel need not be concerned.

To manage any public unrest or disputes resulting from fuel denial, the Delhi Traffic Police will deploy additional personnel near high-footfall fuel outlets. Officials say that maintaining public order while executing the policy is a key focus.

Also Read: No More Diesel And Petrol Vehicles In Delhi-NCR?

The policy is scheduled to expand to other high-traffic NCR districts — including Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, and Sonipat — from October 31, 2025. However, the necessary ANPR infrastructure is yet to be installed in these regions. Authorities expect to complete installation and full enforcement by November 1.