Public Uproar Halts Delhi’s ‘End of Life’ Vehicle Fuel Ban

After facing intense backlash, Delhi government suspends its controversial plan to deny fuel to old cars and bikes; enforcement system deemed flawed and unfair.

New Delhi, July 3, 2025:
The Delhi government has put on hold its controversial ‘End of Life’ (EoL) fuel ban, which would have prohibited petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 from refueling at stations across the capital.

Also Read: Tourist Entry Banned At Key Spots In Kodaikanal Amid Elephant Movement

Facing widespread public outrage and technical hurdles, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced Thursday that the plan is being re-evaluated. “It’s a technically complex system and not yet robust enough,” he said, adding that authorities are working on a new mechanism to target poorly-maintained vehicles, not all older ones.

What Triggered the Reversal:

The original ban, implemented by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on July 1, aimed to combat rising vehicular pollution in Delhi, which contributes to over 50% of the city’s air pollution.

Also Read: Mumbai Weather Forecast: IMD Issues Yellow Alert, Predicts Heavy Rain Today

The policy affected more than 62 lakh vehicles — including two-wheelers, trucks, and luxury and vintage cars — and required the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at all 498 fuel stations to deny fuel to ELVs (End-of-Life Vehicles).

However, the government admitted that the cameras cannot detect High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) issued post-April 2019, and cited frequent glitches, malfunctioning sensors, and unreliable systems as major obstacles.

Also Read: Filing Income Tax Return? What You Need to Know to Avoid ₹1.5 Lakh Fine

Public Fury Erupts:

Social media erupted with complaints from citizens who claimed the policy unfairly penalized responsible vehicle owners:

• One user posted about his 16-year-old, pollution-compliant Mercedes-Benz E280 V6 being deemed “vintage scrap” despite its clean emissions and maintenance record.
• Another user lamented selling his eight-year-old diesel Range Rover, barely used due to the pandemic, citing the government’s enforcement as financially punishing and “not a green policy but a penalty.”

The PUCC (Pollution Under Control Certificate) — currently mandated for all vehicles — was argued by many to be a sufficient measure. Critics emphasized the need for an emission-based model rather than an age-based one, saying the latter lacked nuance and punished responsible ownership.

What Happens Next:

While Delhi was the first to enforce the EoL fuel ban in the National Capital Region (NCR), neighboring regions like Gurugram were expected to follow on November 1. It is now unclear whether those plans will move forward or be re-evaluated.

The Delhi government’s climbdown represents a rare policy reversal driven by public sentiment and technological impracticalities. Officials have assured citizens that future action will be based on vehicle condition and emissions, not merely age.

---

Tags:

Delhi government, End of Life policy, vehicle fuel ban, pollution control, Delhi cars and bikes, ANPR camera issues, ELV fuel restrictions, CAQM order, HSRP problem, PUCC certificate