The environment minister of Delhi, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, has written to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), to hold its ban on fuel for old vehicles. Delhi had enforced Direction No. 89 — a directive to phase out end-of-life (EOL) vehicles to battle air pollution. Under the directive, petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years will be denied fuel.
Manjinder Singh Sirsa asks CAQM to wait
Sirsa has written a letter asking CAQM to wait until the Delhi fuel ban rule is enforced on End-of-Life-Vehicles (ELVs). As per news agency ANI, the letter stated, “We urge the Commission to put the implementation of Direction No. 89 on hold with immediate effect till the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system is seamlessly integrated across the entire NCR.”
It further added, “We are confident that the ongoing multi-pronged efforts of the Delhi Government will achieve substantial improvements in air quality.”
What’s the fuel ban and the reason behind it?
The ban, which was brought by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2014, proposed to take away old vehicles – 15-year-old petrol vehicles and 10-year-old diesel vehicles – to curb Delhi’s air pollution. The rule was brought into effect on July 1, 2025, and fuel stations across Delhi have stopped dispensing fuel.
Over 450 pumps have followed the order, while many have been equipped with new cameras to detect number plates. Other bunks have been manned by either police, traffic officials, or the transport department to either fine or seize old vehicles.
However, the directive has not sat well with many, as common people, businessmen, and even an ex-IAF officer have raised concerns over the ban, asking how it would help curb air pollution if the vehicles are running clean.
