New Delhi: The Delhi government has requested the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to immediately suspend the controversial fuel ban on overage vehicles, citing significant technological challenges and growing public discontent just days after its implementation. The ban was mandated by CAQM's Direction and came into effect recently, but the state government has written to the Commission requesting that the ban be put on hold with immediate effect.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa addressed a press conference on Thursday, stating that the fuel ban on overage vehicles is not feasible due to technological challenges and there was discontent among people. The government, he said, stood with them. The policy prohibited fuel stations from selling petrol and diesel to vehicles older than specified age limits - 15 years for petrol vehicles and 10 years for diesel vehicles.
The ban's implementation has faced severe criticism from various quarters, with social media users and political leaders describing it as an assault on the middle class. Senior AAP leader and former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia accused the BJP-led Delhi government of waging another "assault on the middle class" through its recent order banning refuelling of overage vehicles in the capital. Critics have slammed the policy for hurting middle-class vehicle owners, with entrepreneur Arun Prabhudesai criticising the ban's lack of support measures for car owners, noting that "most would have spent their entire life savings to buy their dream car, taken it on EMI, spent years" paying for it.
The technical challenges cited by the Delhi government appear to be a major factor in the decision to seek suspension. The Delhi Government has written to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), saying the fuel ban on overage vehicles is not feasible due to technological challenges and complex systems. The complexity of implementing such a system across thousands of fuel stations while ensuring accurate age verification of vehicles has proven to be a significant operational hurdle.
The original policy was designed as part of Delhi's broader strategy to combat air pollution, following a 2015 order by the National Green Tribunal—later upheld by the Supreme Court—that imposed a blanket 10-year ban on diesel vehicles to fight air pollution. However, the practical implementation has revealed gaps between policy intention and ground reality.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa stated that the move has incited public discontent and the Delhi government has appealed to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to reconsider the fuel ban on overage vehicles, due to significant technological hurdles. The government's stance reflects the challenge of balancing environmental concerns with public welfare and practical implementation constraints.
