The Delhi government has requested the Centre’s air quality panel to suspend the fuel ban on older vehicles, citing practical challenges and technology issues with its implementation. In a letter to Rajesh Verma, chairman of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa asserted that the ban, imposed just three days prior, is not feasible in practice. He emphasized the need for “all-out efforts” to address concerns around the restrictions affecting end-of-life vehicles on the roads.
Traffic police and transport officials did not impound any old vehicles on the day following the ban. During a press conference, Sirsa noted significant public discontent regarding the move, affirming that the BJP government stands with the affected residents. He underscored that the sudden fuel denial has disrupted the daily lives and livelihoods of many, significantly impacting transportation and personal mobility.
The Supreme Court ruling in 2018 mandated that diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years be removed from Delhi’s roads, a measure reinforced by a 2014 National Green Tribunal order against parking older vehicles in public spaces. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed her commitment to resolving issues stemming from the ban, acknowledging the emotional attachment some individuals have to their vehicles, especially those handed down from loved ones.
Sirsa mentioned that the government’s attempts to implement the ban have faced operational and technological hurdles. He argued that the focus should be on the pollution levels caused by the vehicles rather than their age. He confirmed that automated number plate recognition (ANPR) systems installed at petrol stations have been experiencing glitches that hinder the identification of older vehicles, potentially rendering the ban ineffective as owners could obtain fuel in nearby states like Gurugram and Faridabad, where the restrictions do not apply.
In his letter, Sirsa highlighted steps the Delhi government has taken to combat air pollution, such as introducing a stricter pollution under control (PUC) certificate regime. He called for a halt to the ban’s implementation until the ANPR system is fully integrated across the National Capital Region. Additionally, he criticized the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration for enforcing the overage vehicle restrictions without legally challenging their validity.
The opposition AAP seized on public dissatisfaction, claiming the BJP government’s decision to withdraw the ban was a victory for the people and criticized it as emblematic of the government’s inconsistent stance on court orders. In a video message, Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj celebrated this turn of events, asserting the need for accountability from the government regarding the controversial ban.
Original Source: https://www.firstpost.com/india/delhi-govt-urges-centre-to-suspend-fuel-ban-on-old-vehicles-amid-strong-public-backlash-13902911.html
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Publish Date: 2025-07-05 00:28:00
