Delhi’s Fuel Ban Crisis: CM Rekha Gupta Urges Supreme Court for Game-Changing Rules on Overage Vehicles!

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced intentions to petition the Supreme Court to establish uniform regulations for overage vehicles in the national capital, aligning them with standards implemented nationwide. This statement comes in response to Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, VK Saxena, who criticized the notion of deeming a 10-year-old diesel vehicle as unfit for operation in Delhi while remaining roadworthy in other cities across the country under the same laws.

In a letter addressed to Gupta, Saxena emphasized the importance of legal consistency and equal treatment in such regulations. He recommended that the government submit a review petition to the Supreme Court, highlighting recent initiatives and the evolving context surrounding end-of-life vehicles in the Delhi-NCR region.

Last week, the Delhi government called on the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to suspend its ban on the refueling of older petrol and diesel vehicles. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa conveyed to CAQM Chairman Rajesh Verma that the fuel ban-which disallows petrol cars older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years-faces significant technological obstacles for effective implementation.

According to the CAQM’s directive, effective July 1, all end-of-life vehicles registered in any state were barred from obtaining fuel in Delhi. In light of these policies, Gupta stated the government will consider public sentiment when addressing the Supreme Court concerning pollution control efforts. She asserted that regulations applied nationwide should also extend to Delhi to avoid inconveniences for its residents.

Reflecting on the pollution challenges in Delhi, Gupta remarked that prior administrations failed to take adequate measures, prompting the National Green Tribunal’s intervention. She reiterated that the current government has shifted its approach, emphasizing that many overage vehicles could still refuel in neighboring regions if denied in Delhi.

The initiative to limit overage vehicles is not entirely new. A Supreme Court ruling from 2018 mandated restrictions on diesel vehicles over 10 years old and petrol vehicles exceeding 15 years in Delhi, while a 2014 National Green Tribunal order restricted parking for vehicles older than 15 years in public spaces. The recent fuel deny measure implemented by CAQM aims to enforce these ongoing bans more effectively.

Saxena’s correspondence also encouraged the government to engage CAQM, bringing forward the spectrum of facts required for reconsideration of vehicle regulations, suggesting that enforcement should be paused until the entire NCR is prepared for such measures. Sirsa confirmed the government’s commitment to Saxena’s suggestions, indicating cooperation with both the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

A growing public outcry has surrounded the July 1 ban, with recent surveys showing that approximately 79% of Delhi vehicle owners oppose the new regulations prohibiting fuel sales to older vehicles. This widespread discontent reflects broader concerns about assessing vehicles based solely on age rather than actual emissions levels.

With the Delhi government advocating for a more nuanced approach to environmental regulations, the situation continues to evolve, highlighting the balance between air quality and the livelihood of vehicle owners in the capital.

Original Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/delhi-fuel-ban-govt-would-urge-sc-to-allow-uniform-rules-on-overage-vehicles-says-cm-rekha-gupta-11751851571672.html
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Publish Date: 2025-07-07 07:16:00