44 per cent of Delhi car owners against plan to stop fuel supply to overage vehicles

New Delhi, June 24 (PTI) Nearly half of Delhi’s car owners are opposed to the government’s move to prohibit fuel supply to overage vehicles in a bid to tackle air pollution, a new survey states.
    The policy, set to come into effect on July 1, 2025, will bar petrol pumps in Delhi from refuelling diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years.
    However, 44 per cent of the surveyed vehicle owners are against the move, arguing that many of their cars are still in good condition and have clocked low mileage. Another 7 per cent remain undecided, the survey by LocalCircles states.
    The government’s decision, supported by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), is part of a broader effort to combat toxic air in the capital.
    Cameras are being installed at petrol stations to ensure compliance.
    Critics, however, question whether this step alone will significantly reduce pollution, especially as public transport remains inadequate to meet daily commuting needs, despite Delhi’s extensive metro network.
    According to the LocalCircles report, many individuals feel unfairly treated, noting that “many diesel vehicle owners paid registration fees for 15 years but are now barred from using their vehicles beyond 10 years.”
    Out of over 25,000 responses collected from car owners across Delhi’s 11 districts, the survey found that a significant number are considering alternatives.
    While 62 per cent stated they plan to sell their overage vehicles in other states or to second-hand dealers, 22 per cent indicated they would try to obtain fuel through alternative means -- such as filling up in NCR towns like Noida or Gurgaon, or transferring fuel from another car.
    The rule is expected to be extended beyond Delhi, with Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, and Sonipat likely to adopt similar measures starting November 1, 2025, followed by other NCR districts by April 2026.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)