New Delhi: The Delhi government has officially withdrawn its recent order that sought to restrict fuel supply to older vehicles, commonly referred to as end-of-life vehicles (ELVs).
The directive, which was to come into effect from July 1, aimed to deny fuel to petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years in a bid to tackle pollution. However, facing mounting logistical concerns, the decision has now been put on hold.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, in a letter addressed to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), urged the panel to suspend the enforcement of Direction No. 89, issued on April 23, 2025. The letter cited difficulties in executing the fuel ban effectively and fairly across the National Capital Region.
“I am writing to you on behalf of the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi to respectfully request the Commission to place on hold the enforcement of Direction No. 89 dated April 23, 2025,” the letter stated. “Implementation of this direction has revealed certain issues that must be addressed before these directions are fully implemented.”
With this rollback, even older vehicles, which were previously at risk of being denied refueling, will continue to receive fuel without facing impoundment or penalties by enforcement authorities. This temporary relief is likely to benefit thousands of vehicle owners in the city, particularly those reliant on older modes of transportation.
The now-paused direction was part of a larger strategy to control vehicular emissions in Delhi, a city frequently battling hazardous air quality levels. ELVs, which are considered major contributors to urban air pollution, have been under increasing scrutiny from environmental bodies.
Sources in the Delhi government indicate that while the policy’s intent was rooted in environmental concerns, challenges in identifying ELVs at fuel stations and ensuring consistent enforcement across all retail outlets made it impractical in its current form. There were also concerns about the impact on commuters, especially those from lower-income groups who still depend on older vehicles.
The government has not indicated when or if the measure will be reintroduced, but officials confirmed that further consultations with stakeholders, including fuel retailers, transport authorities, and the CAQM, will be held to explore more effective alternatives to curb vehicular pollution.
