Delhi Fuel Ban for Old Vehicles Set to Combat Pollution

In a bid to improve Delhi's air quality, the city will prohibit petrol pumps from refueling end-of-life vehicles from July 1. The ban, under the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), targets diesel vehicles over 10 years old and petrol vehicles over 15 years old, aligning with previous environmental mandates.

The city's Transport Department is implementing a detailed enforcement plan, deploying squads with Delhi Police, Traffic Police, and municipal personnel to monitor compliance. Each of the 350 identified petrol pumps will have traffic officers to prevent refueling of the banned vehicles. Petrol stations must maintain logs of denied service, according to Standard Operating Procedures issued on June 17.

Petrol stations deviating from these directives could face penalties under the Motor Vehicles Act. The intrusion will also involve advanced Automated Number Plate Recognition systems to instantly identify non-compliant vehicles, facilitating real-time enforcement of the ban. This move follows a Supreme Court judgment and National Green Tribunal orders aimed at reducing pollution in the national capital.

(With inputs from agencies.)