Delhi Enforces Fuel Ban on Old Vehicles: AI Cameras, Police Teams Stationed at Pumps

New Delhi | July 1, 2025 — In a significant step towards curbing air pollution, the Delhi government on Tuesday officially began enforcing a citywide ban on the sale of fuel to outdated vehicles. As per the directive, petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years are no longer eligible to refuel at petrol stations across the capital.

The ban came into effect at 6 a.m. on July 1, amid tight security and strong coordination between multiple government bodies. The Transport Department, Delhi Police, Traffic Police, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) have jointly launched the enforcement drive to ensure strict compliance.

AI-Powered Surveillance: 350 Petrol Pumps Under Watch

To facilitate enforcement, the Delhi government has equipped around 350 petrol pumps with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. These Artificial Intelligence-powered systems are capable of instantly identifying vehicles that violate age restrictions and trigger a hooter to alert staff and law enforcement personnel.

“We are here from 6 a.m. to ensure that no old vehicle is allowed to refuel,” said Sub-Inspector Dharamveer, a member of the Transport Enforcement team, stationed at Dhingra Petrol Pump in Chirag Delhi. “Cameras automatically detect such vehicles, and when flagged, a hooter alerts our teams. We are impounding these vehicles on the spot.”

Ground Enforcement: Multiple Teams Deployed Across Delhi

In addition to AI monitoring, manual inspections are also being conducted. Teams of transport department officials, local police, and traffic personnel are deployed at major petrol stations, especially in high-traffic zones such as South Delhi.

Assistant Sub-Inspector Jagan Lal of the Delhi Traffic Police explained, “While the cameras provide automatic detection, our teams are verifying vehicle details using the central traffic database. This joint operation helps maintain law and order while ensuring compliance.”

At the ground level, petrol pump staff have been trained and instructed not to fill fuel in old vehicles under any circumstances. “As soon as an old vehicle is identified by the system or our staff, we immediately inform the enforcement team,” said Hriday Ram, a worker at Dhingra Petrol Pump.
 

Legal Framework Behind the Ban

This move stems from key legal directives issued in the past decade to combat Delhi’s deteriorating air quality:

• A 2014 order by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) prohibits the parking of vehicles older than 15 years in public places.
• A 2018 Supreme Court ruling banned the operation of diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years in the National Capital Region.

Despite these rulings, enforcement remained inconsistent until now. The current drive is part of a larger initiative by the Delhi government to implement stringent pollution control measures, following alarming air quality levels over recent years.
 

Public Reactions & Expected Impact

While environmentalists have praised the initiative as a bold and necessary move, some sections of the public—particularly owners of older vehicles—have expressed concern over the sudden enforcement. However, authorities believe the drive is both legally mandated and environmentally critical.

Officials argue that removing older, more polluting vehicles from active circulation will significantly help in improving air quality and reducing harmful emissions in the long term.

Conclusion
Delhi’s decision to ban fuel sales to older vehicles marks a major step in enforcing environmental accountability. With the combined strength of technology and on-ground enforcement, the government aims to ensure a cleaner, healthier future for its citizens. While the drive may initially inconvenience some, it signals a clear commitment to prioritize the environment over convenience.