Delhi Fuel Ban Fails First Test, Likely to Resume in November

The Delhi government has temporarily paused its recent fuel ban on older petrol and diesel vehicles. The decision comes after public backlash and technical challenges in enforcing the rule at fuel stations across the city.

What Was the Fuel Ban About?

The ban, implemented on July 1, restricted fuel sales to petrol vehicles over 15 years old and diesel vehicles over 10 years old, classified as "end-of-life" by the authorities.

To enforce the rule, over 350 fuel stations in Delhi-NCR were fitted with AI-powered number plate readers (ANPR cameras) and hooter systems to detect such vehicles. If caught, violators risked immediate impounding of their vehicles.

Why Was the Ban Withdrawn?

In a letter to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Delhi Environment Minister Sardar Majinder Singh Sirsa stated that the ban was "premature" and "not feasible" at this stage.

He pointed out several technical issues, including:

- Faulty cameras and sensors
- Incorrect speaker placement
- Inconsistent system performance at various fuel stations

Risk of Illegal Fuel Market Across NCR

Sirsa also warned that partial implementation in Delhi could encourage fuel smuggling from nearby cities like Gurugram, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad, where such systems are not yet active.

This could lead to the creation of an illegal cross-border fuel market, undermining the whole purpose of the ban.

Fuel Ban May Return in November

The fuel ban is only paused, not cancelled. The government plans to re-implement it after full ANPR integration across the NCR region, expected by November 1, 2025.

Emissions-Based Rules Might Replace Blanket Bans

Interestingly, Sirsa also hinted at a more logical emissions-based approach to identify polluting vehicles, rather than judging them solely by age.
He called for a relook at the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that bans petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years in Delhi.

This could bring relief to private diesel car owners, who currently pay for 15-year registrations but can only use their vehicles in the city for 10 years.

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