Tue Jul 01 20:24:24 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

As of July 1, 2025, Delhi has implemented a ban on vehicles older than 15 years (petrol) and 10 years (diesel) from refueling within the city. Fuel stations are equipped with ANPR cameras and loudspeakers to enforce the ban, and transport officials/police are impounding vehicles or issuing notices to violators. While the rollout had some technical issues and inconsistencies, the ban is generally in effect. The Delhi Petrol Dealers Association is calling for a broader NCR-wide implementation to ensure fairness and prevent business loss. The initiative is part of a larger effort ordered by the Commission for Air Quality Management to combat air pollution.

**News Article:**

**Delhi Cracks Down on Old Vehicles with Fuel Ban**

*New Delhi, July 2, 2025* – In a major step towards combating air pollution, Delhi began enforcing a ban on older vehicles refueling within city limits on Tuesday. The ban, mandated by the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), prohibits petrol vehicles over 15 years old and diesel vehicles over 10 years old from refueling at any Delhi fuel station.

Equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and loudspeaker systems, fuel stations across the capital are denying service to non-compliant vehicles. Authorities reported impounding 45 vehicles and issuing notices to 80 others on the first day of implementation.

“We refused fuel to a luxury car from 2010, which was subsequently impounded by transport officials,” said an employee at a fuel pump near Ashram Chowk, highlighting the enforcement measures.

While the rollout experienced some initial hiccups, including misidentification of vehicle ages by the ANPR system, authorities and fuel station employees worked to resolve issues. One fuelling station in Sarai Kale Khan did not have ANPR cameras or speakers, nor were officials present at the spot.

The CAQM had previously directed that the ban be implemented in five NCR districts in November 2024, with plans to extend it across the entire NCR region by April 1, 2026.

Nischal Singhania, president of the Delhi Petrol Dealers Association, expressed concerns about the ban’s localized impact. “Some people are avoiding refuelling in Delhi out of the fear of being penalised. The ban must be extended across NCR. Otherwise, Delhi dealers will suffer,” he said. Singhania argues that a region-wide ban is necessary to ensure fairness and prevent drivers from simply seeking fuel outside of Delhi.

The ban marks a significant effort to remove older, more polluting vehicles from Delhi’s roads. Further developments and NCR-wide implementation plans are eagerly awaited.

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