Fuel ban on end-of-life vehicles deferred till November 1

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has decided to defer the fuel ban on end-of-life (EoL) till November 1, 2025.

“All EoL vehicles identified through the ANPR cameras system or other such systems installed at the fuel pump stations shall be denied fueling with effect from November 1, 2025 in the NCT of Delhi and five high vehicle density districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar and Sonipat; and in the rest of the NCR from April 1, 2026. Immediate legal action should be taken in respect of such EoL vehicles, including impounding and further disposal,” the CAQM said.

The CAQM has instructed the authorities that till November 1, no cars older than 10 years for diesel and over 15 years for petrol will be seized or will be denied refuelling at petrol stations.

Meanwhile, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa welcomed the move, calling it a “major relief” for residents and crediting Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s “persistent efforts” in getting the Centre to defer the decision. “Our concerns have been acknowledged. This is a big relief for Delhiites,” Sirsa said.

Emphasising a more science-based approach, Sirsa said the Delhi Government would now push for banning vehicles based on actual pollution levels and emissions rather than the age alone.

Sirsa also took a swipe at the previous AAP government, announcing an investigation into the alleged scrapping of 80,000 vehicles during its tenure. “There was no scrapping policy in place at the time. We want to know to whom these vehicles were sold to. Which scrappers were involved? This will be investigated,” he said.

The AAP hit back, accusing the BJP of colluding with vehicle dealers, scrappers and registration agents. “The BJP has been caught red-handed. If they were serious, they’d pass a law to revoke the vehicle ban,” a party spokesperson said.

The party further argued that the CAQM’s decision is only a deferral, not a rollback.

Delhi