In a decisive move to curb vehicular emissions, the Delhi government has announced that vehicles older than the prescribed age limit will no longer be allowed to refuel at petrol stations starting April 1. The restriction applies to petrol vehicles over 15 years old and diesel vehicles older than 10 years.
Delhi, which consistently ranks among the most polluted cities in the world, has long struggled with hazardous air quality, particularly during winter when pollutants get trapped due to cooler temperatures and stagnant winds. The city’s environment minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, revealed that fuel pumps across the capital will be equipped with technology to identify vehicles exceeding the age limit and prevent them from refueling.
This step aligns with a 2018 Supreme Court order that banned the use of overage diesel and petrol vehicles in the city. Despite existing restrictions, many such vehicles continue to operate, significantly contributing to the city’s worsening air pollution. The 2014 National Green Tribunal order also prohibits parking vehicles older than 15 years in public spaces.
Apart from cracking down on old private vehicles, the government is also planning a major transition in public transport. Nearly 90 percent of CNG-powered buses in Delhi will be phased out by the end of 2025 and replaced with electric buses. By 2026, the city aims to have a fleet of 11,000 buses, including around 8,000 e-buses, to promote cleaner transportation.
The Delhi government will officially communicate the refueling ban to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, which will issue the necessary directives to fuel station operators. The city currently has around 500 petrol and diesel stations, all of which will be equipped with devices to enforce the restriction. (Inputs from PTI).