THE NEWS DOSE DESK
New Delhi, July 1, UPDATED: 3:10 PM
The Delhi Police and Transport Department launched a large-scale enforcement drive against ageing vehicles on Tuesday, as the capital officially began its ban on supplying fuel to petrol and diesel vehicles that exceed prescribed age limits. On the first day of the crackdown, authorities impounded dozens of vehicles for violating the new rules.
The drive, which commenced at 6 a.m., is part of a stringent initiative to curb air pollution in the city. Under the new enforcement protocol, fuel stations are prohibited from supplying petrol to vehicles more than 15 years old and diesel to cars over 10 years old.
This action is rooted in a 2018 Supreme Court ruling that mandated the ban on such vehicles in the National Capital Territory. It also aligns with a 2014 National Green Tribunal (NGT) order that disallows the parking of petrol or diesel vehicles older than 15 years in public areas.
To ensure strict implementation, the Delhi government has installed Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at nearly 350 petrol pumps across the city. These high-tech devices instantly detect a vehicle’s age by scanning its license plate and cross-referencing it with central vehicle registration databases.
Officials from the Delhi Transport Department, Traffic Police, local police stations, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) have been deployed in a coordinated effort to monitor compliance. Special enforcement teams were stationed across several high-traffic fuel stations in South Delhi, including Chirag Dilli, from the early hours of the morning.
“We are conducting manual verification in parallel with the ANPR system,” said a senior Transport Department official. “Our teams are using the central vehicle registration database to confirm the eligibility of each vehicle. If an ineligible vehicle is found, the petrol pump is alerted not to refuel it, and the police are notified immediately for further action.”
At fuel stations, public announcements were made warning motorists about the fuel supply restrictions. Staff at the pumps have been directed to deny service to any vehicle that violates the order. Vehicles found in breach are being impounded on the spot.
Officials said the campaign will continue with intensified checks in the coming days. The initiative marks one of the most comprehensive moves by the Delhi government to enforce environmental regulations aimed at improving air quality in the national capital, which routinely records hazardous pollution levels.
The authorities have appealed to residents to cooperate with the policy and ensure their vehicles comply with the prescribed norms. “This is not just a rule, but a step towards a cleaner and healthier Delhi,” said a transport official.
