Delhi Government Backpedals on Overage Vehicle Fuel Ban Amidst Public Outcry & Tech Woes

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Delhi Government Backpedals on Overage Vehicle Fuel Ban Amidst Public Outcry & Tech Woes

Just days after implementing a strict fuel ban on old vehicles, the Delhi government has urged the central air quality panel to suspend the directive. Citing technological challenges, widespread public discontent, and the impact on livelihoods, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the national capital is seeking a re-evaluation of the decision, which has sparked significant anger, particularly among the middle class.

Guwahati,Assam – The Delhi government has performed a swift U-turn on its recently implemented fuel ban for end-of-life (EOL) vehicles, urging the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to immediately suspend the controversial directive. The move comes barely three days after the ban, which prohibited fuel sales to diesel vehicles over 10 years old and petrol vehicles over 15 years old, irrespective of their registration state, officially came into effect on July 1.

The abrupt change of heart by the BJP government in Delhi has ignited a debate: was it the palpable outrage from the middle class, widely visible on social media, or mounting political pressure that prompted this reconsideration?

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, in a letter to CAQM Chairman Rajesh Verma, stated unequivocally that the fuel ban is "not feasible" and "cannot be implemented due to technological challenges." This admission follows a period where traffic police and transport department teams, despite the ban being active, notably impounded no overage vehicles on Thursday, hinting at initial enforcement difficulties.

Affecting Lives and Livelihoods

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta weighed in, emphasizing that the decision was severely impacting "lakhs of families," affecting their daily lives and livelihoods. In a post on X, CM Gupta affirmed her government's commitment to tackling air pollution and pursuing long-term sustainable transport solutions. However, she stressed the crucial need to balance environmental concerns with the social and economic well-being of citizens.

"Through this letter sent by Sirsa ji, we have urged that, keeping the public interest paramount, this order should be immediately suspended and a practical, equitable and phased solution should be prepared by consulting all the stakeholders," Gupta's post read. She reiterated the Delhi Government's stance to "always stand with the people of Delhi with its resolve for public welfare and public facilities."

It's important to note that the ban on overage vehicles is not entirely new to Delhi or the National Capital Region (NCR). A 2018 Supreme Court ruling already prohibited diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years from plying in Delhi. Furthermore, a 2014 National Green Tribunal order restricts the parking of vehicles aged over 15 years in public areas. However, the novel approach of denying fuel at petrol pumps marked a significant shift in enforcement.

Ban Not Feasible: Technical Roadblocks and Public Anger

The core of the Delhi government's argument for suspension revolves around the practicalities of implementation. Minister Sirsa highlighted that the system designed to identify old vehicles for the fuel ban was "not fully functional." He pointed to "critical operational and infrastructural challenges," including technological inconsistencies, malfunctioning sensors and cameras, and a lack of integration with vehicle databases in neighbouring NCR states. This, he argued, could lead to vehicle owners simply refuelling in adjacent areas like Gurugram, Faridabad, or Ghaziabad, thereby circumventing the ban and potentially fostering an illegal cross-border fuel market.

The public's reaction has been largely one of discontent. A survey released on July 3 by LocalCircles revealed that a staggering 79% of Delhi vehicle owners oppose the 'fuel ban for old vehicles' rule. This sentiment underscores the widespread impact on the middle class, a significant voter base that propelled the BJP to power in the national capital just months ago in February 2025 after a 27-year hiatus.

Opposition parties have also been quick to criticise the measure. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia labelled the move a "Tughlaqi farmaan" – a draconian order that disproportionately affects the middle class. Sisodia accused the BJP government of collaborating with the auto industry to "force the middle class to buy new vehicles," calling for the immediate withdrawal of the order.

While the Delhi government maintains its commitment to air quality improvement, the swift reversal highlights the complex interplay between environmental regulations, technological readiness, and the socio-economic realities of the citizenry. The focus now shifts back to the CAQM, as Delhi awaits a formal response to its plea for suspension and a potential re-evaluation of how best to tackle vehicular pollution without unduly burdening its residents.(Source-mint)

दिल्ली के नागरिकों को हो रही कठिनाइयों को देखते हुए, हमारी सरकार ने कमीशन फॉर एयर क्वालिटी मैनेजमेंट (CAQM) को पत्र लिखकर अनुरोध किया है कि एन्ड-ऑफ-लाइफ (EOL) वाहनों को ईंधन न देने के निर्णय पर पुनर्विचार किया जाए।

यह निर्णय लाखों परिवारों की रोज़मर्रा की ज़िंदगी और आजीविका को… https://t.co/q4VR0zsGSs

— Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) July 3, 2025

#FuelBanDelhi#DelhiBJPGovt#CAQM