As Delhi enforces a ban on fuel supply to older diesel and petrol vehicles, car owners like Ritesh Gandotra are voicing frustration over losing well-maintained vehicles due to blanket age limits.
July 2, 2025: In a bid to combat rising air pollution, Delhi implemented a fuel ban on July 1, 2025, prohibiting fuel sales to petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years. While the policy aims to ensure cleaner air, it’s also stirring emotional and financial backlash from responsible vehicle owners.
One such affected citizen, Ritesh Gandotra, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his ordeal, which has since garnered over 347,000 views.
“My car is in its 8th year — a diesel vehicle, meticulously maintained, just 74,000 km on the odo. It spent two years parked during Covid and easily has over 2 lakh km of life left. But thanks to the 10-year diesel ban in NCR, I’m now forced to sell it — and that too to buyers outside NCR, offering throwaway prices,” Gandotra wrote.
He also pointed out the financial strain of replacing a vehicle, noting that buying a new diesel SUV would now attract 45% GST and cess, calling it less of an environmental policy and more of a penalty on responsible ownership.
Also Read: Indian Railways Fare Hike Effective July 1: Who’s Affected and What’s Changing
The post prompted a flood of reactions. One user wrote, “Completely agree… Delhi-NCR should rethink this policy,” to which Gandotra replied that due to two years of Covid, his car was effectively driven for just six years. “I had to list it on Cars24 last week—not out of choice, but compulsion,” he added.
Another user criticized the blanket enforcement of the policy, suggesting a fitness or emissions test-based system similar to those used in Europe could offer a more balanced approach.
A third pointed out the flawed execution of the rule: “A poorly maintained five-year-old car will still be on the road, while a well-maintained 10+ year vehicle gets scrapped. The government should offer a strong incentive program for voluntary scrapping.”
🚗 Policy Intent vs Practical Impact
While the government’s move targets pollution, stories like Gandotra’s highlight the disconnect between policy and practicality, particularly for those who’ve diligently maintained their vehicles.
As the transition to cleaner transportation continues, experts suggest that emission-based rules, robust public transport, and incentive-backed scrappage programs may offer a more equitable path forward.
Tags:
Delhi fuel ban, Ranger Rover, diesel car ban, vehicle scrapping policy, Ritesh Gandotra, Delhi pollution control, NCR 10-year diesel rule, air pollution, Cars24, iPhone 16e, old vehicle rules, fitness test vs age ban, car resale crisis