Delhi govt issues SOPs to enforce fuel ban on old vehicles from July 1

The Delhi government has released Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to implement a ban on refuelling end-of-life (EOL) vehicles in the city starting July 1. The move is based on a directive from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) aimed at curbing vehicular pollution.Under the new rules, diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years—regardless of their registration state—will not be allowed to refuel at any petrol station in Delhi.
Fuel stations have been instructed to display clear signage stating: *”Fuel will not be dispensed to End of Life Vehicles — i.e. 15 years old Petrol/CNG and 10 years old Diesel w.e.f. 01.07.2025.”* Staff at fuel stations must be trained on CAQM guidelines and the procedure to deny fuel to EOL vehicles.
Petrol pumps are also required to maintain a manual or digital log of all fuel denial transactions involving such vehicles and submit weekly reports to the transport department through the official website.To support enforcement, the Delhi Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation (DTIDC) will ensure the functioning of Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera systems at fuel stations.

These systems will capture the registration details of all vehicles entering the station in real time and identify non-compliant vehicles. An audio alert will be played when such vehicles are detected.

DTIDC has also been directed to spread awareness of the CAQM directive through FM radio, newspapers, and direct outreach to fuel stations. The transport department will deploy monitoring teams at stations with high EOL vehicle visits and take action under Section 192 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, against violators.

Enforcement teams are also required to take legal action against identified EOL vehicles, including impounding and disposal. Weekly lists of violating fuel stations will be submitted to CAQM and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

The move follows a 2018 Supreme Court ruling that banned diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years in Delhi. A 2014 order from the National Green Tribunal had also prohibited parking such vehicles in public spaces.