Delhi Enforces Fuel Ban on Over 6 Million Old Vehicles to Curb Pollution

More than six million older vehicles, including two-wheelers, goods carriers, and private cars, are now banned from refueling at petrol and diesel stations across Delhi as part of a sweeping anti-air pollution initiative that took effect Tuesday.

According to the Delhi Transport Department, the move targets petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles over 10 years, which will be denied fuel and immediately impounded by enforcement agencies.

The ban affects approximately 6,114,728 vehicles, including over 4 million two-wheelers, which authorities say are major contributors to the city’s chronic air pollution.

Delhi frequently ranks among the world’s most polluted capitals, with Air Quality Index (AQI) readings reaching hazardous levels of 1,000, especially during winter months.

“End-of-life vehicles (ELVs) are a significant source of emissions, and this measure is necessary to protect public health,” a transport department official said.

The crackdown will be enforced by teams from Delhi Police, Traffic Police, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, and transport officials, who will be stationed at fuel stations across the capital.

Nearly 500 fuel stations have been equipped with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras connected to the VAHAN vehicle registration database. These systems will automatically identify banned vehicles and alert station operators and enforcement teams.

Vintage vehicles with special permits and those running on compressed natural gas (CNG) are exempt from the ban.

The fuel ban was mandated by the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas and forms part of a broader regional strategy.

Beginning in November 2025, five high-density districts surrounding Delhi — Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, and Sonipat — will implement similar bans. The rest of the NCR will follow suit from April 2026.