Fuel Ban on Old Vehicles in Delhi-NCR Now from November 1
The Delhi-NCR region will now enforce the fuel ban on overage petrol and diesel vehicles from November 1, 2025, instead of the originally planned July rollout. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has revised the implementation date to give authorities more time to address infrastructure and coordination issues across multiple states.
Vehicle Fuel Ban Implementation
Under the policy, diesel vehicles over 10 years old and petrol vehicles over 15 years old will be denied refuelling access in Delhi and five other high-vehicle-density districts—Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, and Sonipat—starting November 1. Other NCR regions will follow suit from April 1, 2026. The enforcement is part of efforts to curb vehicular pollution in the region, which consistently records some of the world’s worst air quality levels.
Technology-Driven Enforcement
The scheme depends heavily on Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, integrated with VAHAN vehicle registration data. However, authorities have reported multiple setbacks: suboptimal camera angles, faulty sensor deployment, inconsistent data flow, and lack of interoperability among state agencies. CAQM has instructed all concerned departments to accelerate ANPR deployment, conduct training for fuel station operators, and submit monthly progress reports to ensure readiness.
Political Responses and Public Impact
Delhi’s Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa hailed the postponement as a necessary move that provides breathing room to design a more rational and effective enforcement mechanism. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also supported the revised timeline, stating it reflects a balanced approach to combating pollution without causing disproportionate hardship to vehicle owners.
Meanwhile, AAP leader Atishi denounced the delay as political theatre, calling for legal reforms to protect low-emission older vehicles and accusing the BJP-led administration of targeting the middle class. In contrast, Delhi BJP leadership described the deferral as a prompt response to citizen concerns and affirmed that the judiciary will safeguard clean vehicles from arbitrary action.
Challenges Ahead Before November Deadline
Key concerns include preventing refuelling at petrol pumps just outside the NCR border, finalizing enforcement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and ensuring the reliability of the surveillance infrastructure. Joint teams of transport officials, municipal authorities, and police will be deployed at fuel stations to monitor and penalize violators using real-time data.
With just a few months left before the ban comes into force, the Delhi-NCR administration faces a tight deadline to address all operational, political, and logistical hurdles while ensuring the region meets its environmental commitments.
