Will Your Old Car Be Refused Fuel in Delhi-NCR from November? Check Now

Delhi (NCT) [India], July 08: The plan to stop giving fuel to end-of-life (EOL) vehicles in Delhi has been delayed until November 1. Earlier, it was supposed to start from July 1. Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa requested the delay, calling the move too early. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) agreed after reviewing the readiness. Now, the installation of ANPR cameras in high-density traffic districts around Delhi will be done by October 31. From November, this rule will apply in Delhi and five nearby districts.

What Are EOL Vehicles and Why Are They Banned?

EOL vehicles are petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years. These are considered a big reason for rising air pollution. To fight this, the government has decided such vehicles will not be given fuel. This will apply no matter where the car is registered. The move was first announced in July but postponed after facing many issues. Still, from November, such vehicles will be caught using special cameras at fuel stations and can be sent for scrapping by the authorities.

How Will the Fuel Stations Catch EOL Vehicles?

All major fuel stations in Delhi are now fitted with Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. These cameras read the number plate of the vehicle and check its age and fuel type with the VAHAN database. If a vehicle is found to be overage, the system alerts the fuel pump staff to not fill it. The violation is recorded, and details are sent to the traffic enforcement teams. These teams may then take further action like impounding or scrapping the vehicle. The setup in nearby districts will also be ready by end of October.

Public Pushback Leads to Postponement

Many people raised concerns about this rule. They said that sudden action without enough planning would cause problems. Minister Sirsa called the decision hasty and said it needed more time and better preparation. He pointed to gaps in infrastructure and asked CAQM to give the city some breathing space. Listening to the public voice, the Centre agreed to delay the plan. But officials have made it clear. They said this is only a pause, not a cancellation. So vehicle owners should prepare now to avoid problems later.

Where Will the Rule Apply First?

The rule will be enforced from November 1 in Delhi. It will also be enforced in five high-vehicle-density districts. Those districts are Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, and Sonipat. These areas often see the highest vehicle traffic into the capital. That’s why they are part of the first phase. After this, more areas may follow. People living in these places should check their vehicle documents now. If the vehicle is found unfit, it will not be allowed fuel. It’s better to act early than face fines or impounding later. The rule will soon become the new reality on Delhi’s roads.