Delhi to Impound or Scrap End-of-Life Vehicles from July 1 to Combat Air Pollution
In a major move to tackle air pollution, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has issued Statutory Direction No. 89, which mandates strict action against End-of-Life (EOL) vehicles across the National Capital Region (NCR). Starting July 1, 2025, petrol vehicles over 15 years old and diesel vehicles over 10 years old will not be allowed to refuel at fuel stations within the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. These vehicles are also liable for immediate impoundment or scrappage.
The decision is part of an initiative targeting the estimated 62 lakh EOL vehicles in Delhi, including 41 lakh two-wheelers and 18 lakh four-wheelers, with an additional 44 lakh outdated vehicles identified across the NCR.
The crackdown is supported by 520 Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras linked to the VAHAN database, ensuring real-time identification and action. Since December 2024, 500 ANPR cameras have screened over 3.36 crore vehicles, identifying 4.9 lakh as EOL. Meanwhile, 29 lakh vehicles have updated their Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC), showing a positive trend in compliance. During the trial run, which started in December 2024, 44,000 vehicles were impounded.
The directive will extend to Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddh Nagar, and Sonipat from November 1, 2025, and to the remaining NCR areas by April 1, 2026.
The enforcement will involve over 100 teams at fuel stations and 52 toll plazas, equipped with e-detection systems, to track both Delhi-registered and out-of-state vehicles. Integrated Command Control Centres will monitor footage from key traffic points to coordinate swift action.
Dr. Virinder Sharma, CAQM’s Technical Member, emphasized the importance of technology:
“The ANPR system brings transparency to enforcement. While rules were already in place, implementation had been weak. This initiative could be a game-changer for Delhi’s air quality.”
The initiative is backed by the Delhi Transport Department, Delhi Traffic Police, and oil companies, with all fuel stations being integrated into the ANPR system. Non-compliant vehicles will be denied fuel and must either obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to be relocated outside the NCR or face mandatory scrapping.
The policy aligns with directives from the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal, aiming to reduce emissions from older, pre-BS6 vehicles, which emit up to 4.5 times more pollutants than newer models.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
