Delhi: Ban on 10-Year-Old Diesel, 15-Year-Old Petrol Vehicles to Remain in Force Despite Fuel Ban Hold
Delhi: Ban on 10-Year-Old Diesel, 15-Year-Old Petrol Vehicles to Remain in Force Despite Fuel Ban Hold

Delhi Vehicle Ban Update: Fuel Ban on Old Vehicles Withheld, Age-Based Use Ban Still in Force
NEW DELHI (Jul 4): The Delhi government has paused its decision to ban fuel supply to End-of-Life (EoL) vehicles from July 1 following widespread backlash and confusion among residents. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa formally requested the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to defer the enforcement of the directive that prohibits refuelling of EoL vehicles in the capital.
Sirsa cited technological limitations and the complexity of enforcement systems as key reasons for the rollback. However, misinformation soon spread on social media, with many mistakenly interpreting it as a complete reversal of the EoL vehicle ban itself.
To clarify, while the fuel supply ban has been put on hold, the ban on the operation of overage vehicles in Delhi remains fully in effect. This includes diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years, as originally mandated by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2015 to combat severe air pollution in the region. Such vehicles cannot be re-registered in the NCR and are barred from plying on public roads.
Potential Policy Shift: Age Limit May Give Way to Emission-Based Criteria
The Delhi government is now considering a shift in vehicle ban criteria—from age-based to pollution-emission based regulations. At a press conference, Minister Sirsa stated:
"We are committed to cleaning Delhi's air but we will not allow vehicles to be confiscated unjustly. Our Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta ji, has resolved to protect the rights of Delhiites while also pursuing clean air goals. Instead of banning vehicles purely based on age, we want to assess and restrict them based on actual pollution levels."
The minister also emphasized the need for uniform implementation across the National Capital Region (NCR), rather than isolating Delhi alone.
In his letter to CAQM, Sirsa urged postponement of Direction No. 89, which relates to the fuel ban, until the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system is fully operational across the NCR.
"We believe Delhi’s comprehensive efforts will significantly improve air quality. A coordinated and phased implementation will ensure fairness and effectiveness," he added.