In a move to tackle Delhi’s worsening air pollution, authorities have begun strict enforcement of a fuel ban on End-of-Life (EoL) vehicles. As of July 1, 2025, petrol pumps across the national capital are prohibited from supplying fuel to petrol and CNG vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years, irrespective of where they are registered.

ALSO READ

CCTVs installed at fuel stations

To monitor and enforce the new rule, CCTV cameras, speakers, and Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems have been installed at over 350 petrol pumps across the city. These ANPR cameras are linked to the central VAHAN database, allowing real-time identification of non-compliant vehicles based on their license plates.

Once an EoL vehicle is detected, the system notifies the station staff and plays a warning message through the speakers, informing the driver that fuel cannot be dispensed. Petrol stations are also required to maintain logs of denied transactions and prominently display signs stating: “No fuel for End-of-Life Vehicles: 15-year-old Petrol, 10-year-old Diesel, effective 01.07.2025.”

Enforcement agencies have already begun taking action. Two EoL motorcycles, one petrol and one diesel, were seized at a petrol pump in central Delhi. Traffic Inspector Ashok Kumar confirmed that such vehicles will be handed over to registered scrapping facilities, with the owners receiving the scrap value as per official norms.

Fuel stations have been asked to cooperate fully with the Transport Department, Delhi Police, Traffic Police, and the MCD. Cranes are stationed at key pumps to facilitate the immediate removal of impounded vehicles.

How will the ELV ban work?

The fuel ban on EoL vehicles is being implemented in phases. After Delhi, the second phase, starting November 1, 2025, will extend to Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, and Sonipat. The rest of the National Capital Region (NCR) is expected to follow by April 2026.

Additionally, starting November 2025, non-BS VI compliant vehicles from other states will be barred from entering Delhi, unless they run on cleaner fuels like CNG, LNG, or electricity.

The rule falls under the broader directives of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which aims to significantly reduce vehicular emissions in Delhi and surrounding regions. With Delhi facing hazardous air quality for much of the year, these measures are designed to curb pollution at its source.

ALSO READ

Nischal Singhania, president of the Delhi Petrol Dealers Association (DPDA), confirmed that petrol pump operators are committed to enforcing the rule. However, he also urged the public to cooperate peacefully, saying, “We hope customers understand the intent behind this and there is no unruly behaviour at stations.”