On the first day of Delhi’s newly implemented fuel ban on end-of-life (EoL) vehicles, only 80 vehicles were impounded, with officials attributing the low numbers to reduced traffic at fuel stations.
The ban, which came into effect on July 1, prohibits petrol pumps across Delhi from dispensing fuel to petrol vehicles over 15 years old and diesel vehicles over 10 years old. This move, led by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and enforced by the Delhi Transport Department, is aimed at tackling vehicular emissions in a city battling severe air pollution.
Delhi Transport Commissioner Niharika Rai stated that the number of impounded vehicles was low because fewer EoL vehicles visited fuel stations on day one. She did not speculate on whether numbers would increase in the coming days.
Official data reveals that Delhi has over 60.14 lakh deregistered EoL vehicles, yet many are still in use. According to the VAHAN database, the city has over 62 lakh EoL vehicles, including 41 lakh two-wheelers and 18 lakh four-wheelers.
Under Direction No. 89 issued by CAQM, fuel stations must deny fuel to EoL vehicles, display proper signage, and report weekly compliance. Violations can lead to legal action under Section 192 of the Motor Vehicles Act, while EoL vehicles caught refueling may be impounded and scrapped.
The enforcement is powered by Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems installed at 498 fuel stations and 3 ISBTs, enabling real-time license plate scans and verification through the VAHAN database.
From June 1 to June 23, over 77.8 lakh vehicles were screened, with 1.36 lakh flagged as EoL. During the same period, 8.05 lakh vehicles renewed their Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC).
Special CP Traffic Management Ajay Chaudhary noted that 16 vehicles were seized on the first day by traffic police, mainly two-wheelers, attributing the low turnout to effective awareness campaigns.
The fuel ban will be extended to Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, and Sonipat from November 1, and the rest of the NCR from April 1, 2026.
Over 100 enforcement teams are monitoring real-time data to target non-compliant fuel stations and ensure the success of the initiative.
