Delhi to Deny Fuel to ‘End-of-Life’ Vehicles from July 1, NCR Restrictions to Follow
In a sweeping move to tackle the national capital’s worsening air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has directed that “end-of-life” vehicles — petrol vehicles over 15 years old and diesel vehicles over 10 years old — will be prohibited from refueling in Delhi from July 1, 2025.
The directive extends to five other key districts in the National Capital Region (NCR) — Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, and Sonipat — where the same restrictions will take effect from November 1, 2025. The remaining NCR districts have been given until March 31, 2026, to comply with the mandate.
This measure is in line with a 2015 order by the National Green Tribunal banning the use of overage vehicles in the NCR to combat vehicular emissions — a major contributor to the region’s hazardous air pollution levels.
CAQM has also ordered the installation of automated number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras at all fuel stations in Delhi by June 30. These cameras will be integrated with the Centre’s VAHAN database, allowing real-time detection of overage vehicles.
According to Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, “Installations have already been completed at nearly 90% of the city’s fuel stations. Work is underway to cover the remaining ones before the July deadline.”
The directive also mandates monthly updates from all concerned agencies on efforts to phase out end-of-life vehicles, signaling a robust compliance framework. Additionally, the order requires strict enforcement and widespread awareness campaigns, tasking Transport Departments to coordinate with fuel stations and other stakeholders.
In a further push for cleaner air, CAQM announced that starting November 1, 2025, the entry of transport and commercial goods vehicles not registered in Delhi will be prohibited. Exceptions will be made for BS-VI, CNG, LNG, and electric vehicles, as well as vehicles transporting essential commodities.
However, even providers of essential goods must transition to these cleaner fuel technologies by October 31, 2026. Agencies are expected to submit quarterly action reports tracking the shift.
So far, similar bans on the entry of external vehicles have only been enforced temporarily under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) during periods of severe air pollution. With this new directive, Delhi and the NCR move toward a more permanent and systemic solution.
As the region grapples with hazardous air quality levels each winter, these proactive steps could mark a turning point in how cities manage environmental sustainability and public health.
