Delhi: Petrol and diesel to be banned for old vehicles from today
Delhi has banned fuel sales for petrol vehicles over 15 years and diesel vehicles over 10 years starting today, aiming to curb air pollution. ANPR cameras at petrol stations will identify these end-of-life vehicles, enforcing the new regulation. Public transport is transitioning to electric to provide cleaner, affordable options for residents.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has voiced her worries regarding the escalating air pollution in the capital and has mentioned implementing stringent measures against vehicles that have surpassed their designated lifespan. She said that it has now become mandatory to remove such vehicles from the roads of Delhi.
The official said that this step has been taken with the aim of tackling air pollution caused by vehicles in the capital. Petrol pump owners on Monday confirmed that Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and other equipment connected to the data bank of the Ministry of Transport have been installed at their outlets to identify vehicles that have completed their time.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has issued instructions that all EOL vehicles identified through ANPR cameras or other such equipment installed at filling stations will not be given fuel in the National Capital Territory (NCT) Delhi from July 1.
CM Rekha Gupta said in a post on the social media platform 'X', public transport is rapidly being converted to electric vehicles, which will not only reduce pollution but will also provide clean and affordable transport to the residents of Delhi. To enforce the ban on sale of fuel to EOL vehicles, AI cameras connected to the transport department's database have been installed at fuel stations. These cameras will read number plates, identify overage vehicles and alert petrol pump staff.
Ban on these vehicles from July 1
An official said that petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles (personal) older than 10 years will be banned from buying fuel from Tuesday. The transport department has defined EOL vehicles as those vehicles which are no longer validly registered vehicles, whether running on petrol, CNG or diesel.
These also include petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years. The transport department has warned that action can also be taken against petrol pump owners found supplying fuel to EOL vehicles.