Delhi Govt Puts End-of-Life Vehicle Impounding on Hold Amid Backlash
The Delhi government on Thursday announced it is putting its controversial End-of-Life (EOL) vehicle impounding policy on hold, just two days after it came into effect. The decision follows intense public backlash and criticism over the stringent measure, which included denying fuel to older vehicles and seizing them on the spot.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa confirmed the move, assuring residents that old vehicles will no longer be impounded arbitrarily. The suspension of the drive has also been backed by Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, who has reportedly directed the transport department to halt the process until a more robust and fair mechanism is established.
“Delhi Chief Minister has assured residents that old vehicles will not be impounded arbitrarily. We will not allow old vehicles to be impounded,” Sirsa stated, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to controlling pollution in the capital.
The government has formally written to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the central body that directed the policy, admitting that it currently lacks the necessary infrastructure for effective implementation. Sirsa highlighted several “technical glitches,” including non-functional Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, malfunctioning public announcement systems at fuel pumps, and a lack of a real-time system to notify citizens that their vehicles have been marked as EOL.
“Until proper systems are in place, impounding should not proceed,” Sirsa said, adding that the final decision on whether to formally pause or withdraw the policy now rests with the CAQM.
The policy, which began on July 1, prohibited petrol pumps from selling fuel to diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years. The enforcement strategy, involving the Transport Department and Delhi Police, led to widespread concern among vehicle owners, many of whom were seen queuing for fuel in neighbouring cities like Noida and Gurugram where no such rule is in place.
With the impounding drive now suspended, the ambitious policy to phase out old polluting vehicles from the capital’s roads remains in limbo, as the government and residents await further direction from the air quality commission.
