In a decisive move to tackle air pollution and enforce vehicular laws, the Delhi government has launched a large-scale crackdown on End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) across the capital starting today, July 1. Vehicles that have exceeded their legal lifespan will now be denied fuel at more than 500 petrol and diesel stations across the city.

This anti-pollution campaign marks a significant step forward in the government’s ongoing efforts to implement the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Supreme Court guidelines that ban the use of petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years.

What Is the Campaign All About?

The campaign, described as a “mega action plan”, will involve strict enforcement of existing laws concerning vehicle age limits in Delhi. From today onwards, vehicles that have crossed their permissible operational age will not be allowed to refuel at fuel stations across the city.

To implement this plan effectively, the Delhi Transport Department has:

• Installed ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras at fuel stations

• Deployed 300 inspection teams from various departments

• Organized operations in three strategic phases

500+ Petrol Pumps Under Digital Surveillance

According to officials, ANPR cameras have been installed at over 500 fuel stations to monitor the entry of unauthorized or outdated vehicles.

 How ANPR Cameras Work:

• These cameras scan the vehicle’s number plate in real-time.

• The system cross-references the registration with the VAHAN database.

• If the vehicle is identified as “deregistered” or beyond its age limit, the fuel pump will automatically refuse to provide fuel.

This is the first time such a large-scale surveillance-based enforcement system is being deployed in India to curb pollution from outdated vehicles.

What Counts as an ‘Old Vehicle’ in Delhi?

Under Delhi’s anti-pollution regulations, the following age limits apply:

• Petrol Vehicles: Banned after 15 years from the date of registration.

• Diesel Vehicles: Banned after 10 years from the date of registration.

Once these vehicles cross their age limit:

• They are deregistered from the transport database.

• They are not allowed to ply on roads.

• They are liable for penalties, fines, and even impoundment.

Yet, thousands of such vehicles continue to operate in various parts of Delhi-NCR, prompting the need for stricter enforcement.

Three-Phase Implementation Strategy

The crackdown will be executed in three distinct phases, as part of a coordinated action plan involving multiple agencies.

Phase 1: Awareness & Soft Warnings (July 1 – July 7)

• Vehicle owners will be notified or warned if their vehicle is found to be non-compliant.

• Petrol pump attendants will receive real-time alerts and notify drivers.

• No penalty will be imposed during this phase.

Phase 2: Strict Enforcement Begins (July 8 – July 15)

• Vehicles that are identified as non-compliant will be denied fuel outright.

• Violators may receive e-challans and fines.

• Teams will begin tracking habitual offenders using live footage and patrol units.

Phase 3: Legal Action & Impoundment (Post July 15)

• Continued violations may lead to vehicle impoundment.

• Legal notices and potential court action may be initiated.

• Government agencies will begin scrapping procedures for persistent offenders.

300 Teams Across 3 Departments Deployed

To ensure round-the-clock implementation, the campaign involves:

• Delhi Transport Department

• Delhi Traffic Police

• Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD)

Over 300 teams have been deployed across the city, equipped with handheld scanners, GPS trackers, and real-time communication devices. These teams will be stationed at petrol pumps, traffic intersections, and vehicle hotspots.

Expert Opinions on the Move

Environmental experts and policy analysts have welcomed the campaign, calling it a bold and necessary step.

Dr. Rakesh Jain, an environmental policy researcher, said:

“Delhi’s air quality has consistently ranked among the worst in the world. Removing end-of-life vehicles from the streets is crucial for reducing emissions, especially PM2.5 levels.”

He further added that this initiative could serve as a model for other polluted cities like Mumbai, Kanpur, and Kolkata.

Why This Crackdown Is Critical for Delhi

Delhi’s pollution levels often touch hazardous marks, especially during the winter months. Outdated vehicles contribute significantly to:

• Particulate matter emissions

• Carbon monoxide and NOx release

• Noise pollution

• Fuel inefficiency

A study by TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute) estimates that over 3.5 lakh deregistered vehicles still ply illegally in Delhi, making them a major contributor to urban air pollution.

What Vehicle Owners Should Do Now

If you own a vehicle nearing or beyond its age limit:

•  Check its registration details on the VAHAN portal

•  Consider scrapping the vehicle under Delhi’s Voluntary Scrappage Policy

• Avoid using it in public areas to prevent fines or impoundment

•  Opt for CNG, electric vehicles, or newer emission-compliant models

Implications for Other Indian Cities

Delhi’s aggressive stance may set a national precedent. Cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad are also considering digitally enforced vehicle age monitoring, especially with the success of Delhi’s fuel-denial enforcement model.

If successful, this strategy could become a central policy recommendation under India’s National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

Delhi’s mega crackdown on old vehicles marks a new era in urban pollution control and smart enforcement. By integrating real-time surveillance, legal regulation, and citizen accountability, the capital city is taking a bold step toward a cleaner and safer environment.

For vehicle owners, the message is clear — follow the rules or face consequences. For other cities, Delhi’s model may soon become a template for nationwide replication.

Stay tuned to KKNLive.com for regular updates on Delhi transport news, pollution control strategies, and vehicle compliance alerts.