Delhi Cracks Down on Outdated Vehicles: No Fuel for End-of-Life Cars and Bikes from Today
In a decisive move to tackle rising vehicular pollution, the Delhi government has begun enforcing strict new regulations targeting End-of-Life (EOL) vehicles starting Tuesday. The initiative, driven by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), bars outdated vehicles from refueling at any petrol or diesel station across the National Capital Territory (NCT).
According to the new mandate, vehicles that have surpassed the legal age limit—10 years for diesel and 15 years for petrol—will no longer be allowed to refuel. The system relies on AI-powered Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras installed at fuel stations to detect and flag EOL vehicles in real time.
Once an outdated vehicle is identified, the system automatically blocks fuel access. In addition to being denied fuel, violators will face heavy penalties: ₹10,000 for four-wheelers and ₹5,000 for two-wheelers.
Petrol pump operators say they are prepared for the rollout, though they remain watchful of potential technical glitches. “The system is in place. We’re monitoring its functionality, and if there are server issues, we will manually screen vehicles,” said Sanjay Dedha, a petrol station manager in Vivek Vihar.
At Bharat Petroleum’s Lal Kuan outlet, supervisor Ram Lagan Shukla confirmed the enforcement: “Vehicles over 15 years old running on petrol will not be refueled here. We’re also checking documents and the condition of the vehicles.”
The policy is part of a broader environmental strategy aimed at reducing emissions in Delhi, which consistently ranks among the world’s most polluted cities. Authorities have also warned that EOL vehicles found parked in public areas or near petrol stations will be impounded starting immediately. The Delhi government is urging all vehicle owners to check the registration status and legal age of their vehicles to avoid penalties and ensure compliance.
