The Delhi government now faces the task of balancing environmental obligations with public convenience and socio-economic realities.
In a swift reversal, the Delhi government has withdrawn its decision to ban refuelling of overage vehicles, just days after the policy was put into effect.
The move comes in response to mounting public dissatisfaction, political criticism, and concerns over technical and enforcement challenges.
The controversial order, which had prohibited petrol stations from refuelling diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years, was rolled out on July 1 as part of compliance with judicial directives to curb pollution.
However, it has now been put on hold after widespread backlash.
Environment Minister Acknowledges Public Concerns
At a press briefing on Thursday, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa acknowledged the widespread discontent among citizens.
“There has been public dissatisfaction regarding this move. The Delhi government stands with the people,” he stated.
Sirsa further explained that the government had written to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), arguing that the ban is not practically enforceable due to technological limitations and the complexity of implementation.
The government has also urged that any such measure, if pursued, should be enforced uniformly across the National Capital Region (NCR) rather than selectively in Delhi.
Chief Minister Appeals for Balanced Solutions
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, speaking at a public event, said the government is committed to resolving issues arising from the ban.
She acknowledged that many people have an emotional attachment to their older vehicles, especially those received as gifts from loved ones.
“These vehicles are often not used extensively and are cherished as keepsakes,” she said.
Public Enforcement Met with Limited Success
Following the initial implementation of the order, enforcement teams from the transport department, Delhi police, and municipal authorities began impounding overage vehicles at petrol stations.
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On Day 1, 80 vehicles were seized.
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On Day 2, only seven vehicles were impounded, despite surveillance cameras flagging 78 overage vehicles, pointing to a gap between detection and enforcement.
Opposition Slams the Move as Anti-People
Political leaders, particularly from the AAP and TMC, were quick to criticise the BJP-led Delhi government for what they described as an anti-people policy.
Former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia lashed out at the government, calling the order draconian. “This isn’t governance—it’s like an episode of Phulera ki Panchayat,” he said sarcastically, referring to the acclaimed rural drama series.
He further alleged that the ban unfairly targeted families who had carefully maintained their vehicles, some of which had logged fewer than 10,000 kilometres.
Sisodia also suggested that the move was financially motivated, designed to benefit automobile manufacturers, scrapyards, and number plate vendors, especially in light of the recent approval for increased taxi fares.
Former Chief Minister Atishi echoed the concerns, raising alarm over the impact on common citizens, especially those who rely on two-wheelers for daily commuting.
She questioned the practical impact on the lives of the 40 lakh two-wheeler owners and senior citizens who use their vehicles sparingly for short errands.
National-Level Concerns Raised
TMC MP Saket Gokhale also weighed in, criticising the policy as an outlier in global standards. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Gokhale wrote,
“Across the world—be it the US, UK, EU, or China—there are no blanket rules for ‘End-of-Life Vehicles’ (ELVs). This is a move designed to benefit automakers and corporate lobbies linked to the BJP.”
