Delhi govt to revise vehicle policy; old vehicles to stay and not be scrapped
PTC Web Desk: In a major shift, the Delhi Government has withdrawn a controversial policy that barred the sale of fuel to ‘end-of-life’ (EoL) vehicles—defined as petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel ones more than 10 years.
Environment Minister Manjinder Sirsa announced the rollback, stating that the policy would have been difficult to implement. Instead, the government now plans to focus on removing poorly maintained and polluting vehicles rather than penalising owners of well-kept older cars.
The original directive came from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and was enforced from July 1 to tackle growing vehicle emissions in the capital, where poor air quality, especially in winter, remains a critical concern. The decision impacted over 60 lakh vehicles—including two-wheelers, trucks, private cars, and even vintage models.
Delhi was the first region in the National Capital Region (NCR) to implement the fuel restriction, with cities like Gurugram expected to follow by November. Cameras installed at 498 fuel stations were linked to a central database designed to flag vehicles classified as EoL. These vehicles were to be denied fuel and scrapped under the now-withdrawn order.
However, the move sparked a backlash from citizens whose older vehicles still meet emission standards and carry valid Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCCs). Many argued that punishing responsible vehicle owners who maintain their cars goes against the spirit of fair environmental governance.
In response to the public outcry, the Delhi government is now exploring alternative strategies to reduce vehicular pollution, which remains one of the top contributors to toxic air in the city.
- With inputs from agencies
