Delhi govt. places brakes on gas ban for overage automobiles amid outcry

The Delhi authorities will work to scrub the town’s air however is not going to permit the impounding of ‘finish of life’ automobiles (ELVs), Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa mentioned, citing public backlash and systemic challenges in implementing the anti-pollution measure.

Mr. Sirsa mentioned he had written to the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), urging a pause on its directive that mandated gas stations to disclaim petrol or diesel to ELVs from July 1 and allowed their impounding utilizing computerized quantity plate recognition (ANPR) cameras.

“We will clear Delhi’s setting, however we is not going to permit Delhiites’ automobiles to be impounded. This is the decision of our Chief Minister Rekha Guptaji – her promise to the folks,” he instructed reporters.

Ms. Gupta mentioned the federal government would make “all efforts” to deal with issues associated to the ELV ban. “The ache of Delhi folks is comprehensible… Some are emotionally connected to automobiles gifted by family members, and such less-driven vehicles are keepsakes,” she mentioned.

An official from Mr. Sirsa’s workplace confirmed that ANPR-based enforcement at gas stations wouldn’t be carried out from Friday, although the federal government has not issued a proper order. In his letter to the CAQM, the Minister cited technological integration points, lack of coordination with neighbouring States, and public discontent. He mentioned the federal government is contemplating enforcement primarily based on precise emissions, slightly than automobile age alone.

The CAQM’s April 23 directive had ordered that from July 1, ELVs recognized by way of ANPR at Delhi gas stations be denied gas. The similar rule was to take impact in 5 NCR districts from November 1 and throughout the remainder of NCR from April 1, 2026. Initially, the Delhi authorities supported the transfer, with the Transport Department and site visitors police impounding ELVs from gas stations.

Mr. Sirsa had introduced in March that ELVs could be barred from refuelling from April 1, however the plan was delayed resulting from incomplete ANPR set up. Even earlier than CAQM’s July mandate, the Transport Department had been impounding ELVs noticed on the roads.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) claimed public opposition compelled the federal government’s U-turn. “The BJP authorities was merely hiding behind a court docket order. But when the folks united and raised their voice, it needed to withdraw,” mentioned AAP’s Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj.

Mr. Sirsa, in the meantime, alleged that the AAP authorities took cash from new automobile sellers and put in ANPR cameras to focus on older automobiles.

According to CAQM knowledge, Delhi has practically 62 lakh ELVs, whereas the remainder of NCR has about 44 lakh. The National Green Tribunal banned ELVs throughout the NCR in 2015.

Ms. Gupta introduced that the Supreme Court had accepted the federal government’s petition. In the National Capital Region (NCR), no rapid punitive motion might be taken towards homeowners of diesel automobiles older than 10 years and petrol automobiles older than 15 years, she mentioned.

“We will proceed to firmly signify the pursuits of the folks of Delhi by actively taking part within the judicial course of… This determination strengthens our resolve to keep up a steadiness between environmental safety and public comfort as we transfer in direction of a developed Delhi,” Ms. Gupta mentioned in an announcement.