No Fuel for 15-Year-Old Vehicles in Delhi From April 1; Check Details

Starting April 1, 2025, vehicles older than 15 years in Delhi will no longer be allowed to refuel at petrol pumps as part of the government's efforts to curb pollution. This move aligns with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Supreme Court directives, which recently banned petrol and diesel vehicles exceeding 15 and 10 years, respectively, from operating in the capital. The latest move from the BJP-led state government is aimed at tackling worsening air quality and minimising emissions from outdated vehicles, a major contributor to pollution in the city. It is expected that this restriction will reduce vehicular emissions and encourage the adoption of cleaner alternatives like electric vehicles (EVs) and CNG-powered cars. 

No Fuel for End-of-life Vehicles (ELVs)

After a key meeting with officials, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, who recently took charge, stressed that the government is enforcing rigorous steps to reduce vehicular pollution. He further disclosed plans to establish a special task force to identify and regulate the movement of such vehicles in Delhi. Additionally, anti-smog guns will be installed at construction zones, tall buildings, hotels, airports, and government offices to help curb pollution levels.

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Sirsa stated during a press briefing that the Delhi government is set to implement a system that will automatically detect and prevent fuel supply to vehicles older than 15 years at petrol stations. Officials will also formally communicate this decision to the Union Ministry of Petroleum. To ensure rigorous enforcement, a special monitoring team will be deployed to track and restrict non-compliant vehicles. This unit will be fully operational from April 1, focusing on identifying and controlling the movement of such vehicles. Additionally, authorities will tighten regulations on heavy vehicles entering Delhi, ensuring they meet the city’s environmental standards.

Beyond fuel restrictions, the government will enforce mandatory installation of anti-smog guns at commercial hubs, high-rise buildings, and hotels to help tackle air pollution. Key locations such as major hotels, office complexes, Delhi Airport, and large construction sites will be required to comply immediately.

For the uninitiated, the Delhi-NCR region already prohibits diesel vehicles over 10 years old and petrol vehicles exceeding 15 years from being on the roads. A directive issued in 2021 reinforced these measures, stipulating that violators found after January 1, 2022, would have their vehicles seized and sent for scrapping.

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Additionally, the capital city is advancing towards a cleaner public transport system. By the end of this year, almost 90% of the city’s CNG buses will be decommissioned and replaced with electric buses, reinforcing the government’s commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly urban mobility.