Delhi Pauses Fuel Ban On 10-Year-Old Diesel, 15-Year-Old Petrol Vehicles

Just days after implementing a ban on the sale of fuels to 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old-petrol vehicles, the Delhi Government has put the order on hold. In a letter to the Commission for Air Quality Management, Delhi Environment Minister, Sardar Majinder Singh Sirsa cited technological hurdles as well as a phased implementation of the ban in Delhi and the National Capital Region as reasons that made enforcing the ban difficult.

Also read: No Fuel For Old Petrol, Diesel Vehicles In Delhi From July 1, Govt To Seize Vehicles

Sirsa, in his letter, said that while cameras for the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system had been installed at fuel pumps across Delhi, the system could still be prone to glitches, improper installation and more. He also cited that the lack of integration of vehicle databases for other cities in the NCR also created issues of identifying vehicles.

Furthermore, he cited the lack of implementation of the ban in the wider NCR as another cause of concern stating that overage vehicles could simply move to Delhi’s satellite cities to refuel thus avoiding the rules.

Also Read: Vehicles Without HSRP Stickers To Attract Fines In Delhi

The new fuel ban has also not been well received by the Petrol Dealers Association in Delhi. As per reports, the Delhi Petrol Dealers Association has filed a plea with the Delhi High Court challenging the mandate of denying fuel to End-of-life vehicles.

The fuel ban however could make a return once the ANPR system has been mandated across the entirety of the NCR though as per reports, the Delhi Government is also considering an emissions-based ruling instead of issuing an outright ban.