In a swift policy U-turn, the Delhi government has paused its controversial fuel ban on “end-of-life” vehicles — petrol cars older than 15 years and diesel vehicles over 10 — just days after enforcing it across 350+ fuel stations in the capital. The move comes after widespread backlash and reports of malfunctioning AI-powered enforcement systems.
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What Happened?
On July 1, Delhi launched a full-scale crackdown with AI-enabled number plate readers (ANPR), hooter systems, and on-ground enforcement teams. Vehicles flouting the ban were to be impounded on the spot. However, within days, the system faced major hiccups: faulty cameras, misplaced sensors, and silent speakers rendered it ineffective.
Fuel Ban Backfires
Delhi Environment Minister Sardar Majinder Singh Sirsa has officially requested the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to halt the order, calling it “premature” and potentially “counterproductive.”
In his letter, Sirsa warned that the fuel ban in Delhi alone would simply push vehicle owners to refuel in neighboring districts like Gurugram, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad — areas still untouched by ANPR tech — potentially giving rise to a black market for fuel.
What’s Next?
The ban is likely to be reintroduced after November 1, 2025, once the ANPR network is fully deployed across Delhi-NCR. A unified rollout, the government believes, is essential for effective implementation.
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A Shift in Perspective
In a significant policy hint, Sirsa also floated the idea of emissions-based checks instead of blanket bans based on vehicle age. The current model, based on a 2018 Supreme Court ruling, disallows petrol cars older than 15 years and diesel ones over 10 — a rule many feel penalizes diesel car buyers unfairly.
- Delhi’s fuel ban on old vehicles put on hold due to tech issues and loopholes
- Enforcement tech like ANPR cameras found non-functional at many fuel stations
- Implementation deferred until November 2025 across NCR
- Govt rethinks strategy, hints at emissions-based assessments over age-based bans
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