Delhi’s fuel ban for old vehicles: What does the law say?

Paper: GS-III, Subject: Environment, Ecology and Disaster Management (B), Subject Code: B11, Topic : Renewable Energy, Issue : Delhi’s fuel ban for old vehicles to curb pollution.

Context:

Delhi has begun enforcing a fuel ban on petrol vehicles over 15 years old and diesel vehicles over 10 years old. This measure, grounded in NGT directives, aims to curb vehicular pollution but faces enforcement and coordination challenges in the NCR.

Key Takeaways:

Legal and Policy Basis

• NGT Orders (2015):
  • Banned diesel vehicles >10 years and petrol vehicles >15 years in NCR.
  • Upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018, mandating impounding of violating vehicles.
• Motor Vehicles Act, 1988:
  • Registration validity = 15 years (renewable).
• Motor Vehicles (Registration and Scrapping of Vehicles) Rules, 2021:
  • Encourage safe disposal of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs).
• Environment (Protection) Act, 1986:
  • Empowers rules for controlling pollution sources.

Enforcement Mechanism

• Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) directive.
• Fuel stations in NCR deny petrol/diesel to old vehicles.
• Use of ANPR cameras and VAHAN database for age verification.
• Issues faced:
  • Tech glitches (camera failures, data integration problems).
  • Vehicles sourcing fuel from neighboring states.

Environmental Significance

• Older vehicles emit 4.5–5.5 times more PM than BS-VI vehicles.
• Transport sector:
  • Major contributor to PM2.5, SO₂, and NOx pollution in NCR.
  • Responsible for ~41% of SO₂ and ~32% of NOx emissions.
• NCR’s severe air quality crisis demands:

Governance and Policy Challenges

• Lack of seamless coordination among NCR states.
• Incomplete integration of vehicle databases.
• Need for robust technological infrastructure for enforcement.

Broader Solutions (Way Forward)

• Strengthen vehicle scrapping and renewal incentives.
• Enhance public transport, non-motorised transport, and last-mile connectivity.
• Promote electric vehicles (EVs) and cleaner fuels.
• Improve inter-state policy harmonisation in NCR.
• Foster public awareness and behavioural change.

Conclusion:

While Delhi’s fuel ban for old vehicles aligns with legal mandates and is essential to reduce vehicular pollution, it must be backed by robust enforcement, technological integration, and complementary measures to ensure sustainable urban air quality management.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/delhis-fuel-ban-for-old-vehicles-what-does-the-law-say-10107031

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