Delhi Fuel Ban On End-Of-Life Vehicles To Be Paused? Sirsa Asks CAQM To Delay Move — Here’s Why
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has formally requested the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to suspend the enforcement of Direction No. 89, which would deny fuel to End-of-Life (EOL) vehicles in the capital starting July 1. In a detailed letter, Sirsa highlighted critical technological shortcomings and practical challenges, stressing that premature implementation could backfire.
In a press briefing, the Delhi Environment Minister stated, "We have informed them that the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras that were installed are not a robust system, and there are still many challenges with them. Technical glitches, non-working sensors, and malfunctioning speakers: all these challenges are there. It has not been integrated with the NCR data yet. It is not able to identify HSRP plates. We also said that such a law has not been implemented in Gurgaon, Faridabad and Ghaziabad and the rest of NCR till now..."
The letter underscores significant issues with the Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system, which is intended to identify EOL vehicles at fuel stations. While cameras have been installed at most petrol pumps, Sirsa pointed out “crucial issues related to technological glitches, camera placement, sensors not working, speakers not functioning, etc.” Moreover, the system is not yet robust enough to integrate with databases of neighbouring National Capital Region (NCR) states or accurately identify vehicles with problematic High Security Registration Plates (HSRP). According to Sirsa, “these issues require proper trial and error corrections before the same can be implemented in Delhi.”
Risk of Fuel Purchase From Adjacent Districts
Highlighting potential loopholes, the Delhi government warned that enforcing the ban solely within Delhi would prompt vehicle owners to buy fuel from bordering districts like Gurugram, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad, undermining the initiative’s effectiveness. “A stage-wise implementation that begins only in Delhi will not serve its intended purpose,” the letter states. The absence of ANPR installations in neighbouring areas would also impede seamless integration, creating opportunities for circumvention and possibly fuelling an illegal cross-border fuel trade.
The Delhi government argued that its ongoing multi-pronged efforts should be given time to yield results before enforcing the ban. According to the letter, these initiatives include planting approximately 70 lakh trees and shrubs, exploring cloud seeding technology, and strengthening the Pollution Under Control (PUC) certification regime, particularly for vehicles entering Delhi from other states. Measures like mandatory anti-smog guns on high-rise buildings, mechanised road cleaning with integrated sprinklers, and registration requirements for large construction sites have also been rolled out.
The government is additionally developing a system to send preventive SMS alerts to owners of vehicles approaching the end of their lifespan, both within Delhi and in neighbouring states, to discourage EOL vehicles from entering the NCR. However, as the letter cautioned, “because of the technological inconsistencies of this extremely complex system and lack of integration with neighbouring states, there is public discontent and outcry.”
Call for Unified NCR-Wide Implementation
Sirsa concluded the letter with an appeal to defer Direction No. 89’s implementation until the ANPR system is fully integrated across the entire NCR, stating: “We strongly urge the Commission to put the implementation of Direction No. 89 on hold with immediate effect till the ANPR system is seamlessly integrated across the entire NCR. We are confident that the ongoing multi-pronged efforts of the Delhi Government will achieve substantial improvements in air quality.”
The letter was addressed to the Chairperson of the Commission for Air Quality Management, as per the official communication shared by the Delhi government.
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