Rekha Gupta government has now come on the backfoot regarding the order of CAQM, which came into force from 1 July 2025 in the national capital of the country. The government had to withdraw its decision just three days after implementing the rules. Now the Delhi government has urged the CAQM to churn it before implementing it immediately and requested to postpone this order. At the same time, the Aam Aadmi Party is surrounded by Rekha Gupta government about this.
In fact, the Commission for Air Quality Management had given strict instructions in its order not to fuel diesel and more than 15 years old petrol vehicles more than 10 years old. After this, the Delhi government strictly implemented it and the Transport Department and the Traffic Police started seizing vehicles (ELVs), who had completed age at petrol pumps from July 1.
This decision, which came into force in Delhi, is directly related to the common man, especially with millions of citizens whose livelihood, traffic and personal needs are on these old vehicles. According to the Transport Department, there are about 62 lakh vehicles in Delhi, whose age has been completed. These include 41 lakh two wheelers and 18 lakh four wheelers. In such a situation, there was a clear resentment among millions of people in Delhi to seize old vehicles on a large scale.
Now the Delhi government said in a letter to Rajesh Verma, President of the Air Quality Management Commission (CAQM) that the ban on fuel is not viable and it cannot be implemented due to technical challenges. Not a single vehicle was seized under this rule in the capital on Thursday. At the same time, more than 80 vehicles were seized in the first two days. These include two wheelers and four wheelers.
Let us understand what reasons the Delhi government requested to reconsider the order of the Center and what are the real technical and social problems behind it-
1. AnPR system became the biggest obstacle
Under the CAQM guidelines, vehicles were to be identified at petrol pumps through Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras which fall into the End-off-Life (EOL) category. But the Delhi government says that this technology is not fully ready. Cameras are not working properly at many petrol pumps.
A letter to CAQM by Delhi’s Tour Minister Manjinder Sirsa said that the situation of the camera, sensors, and technical disturbances in the speaker system have been revealed. The camera is not able to recognize the car due to high security registration plates (HSRP). When the basic identity system is not functioning correctly, how is the effective implementation of law possible?
2. No coordination in NCR, order limited to Delhi only
The second major argument of the Delhi government is about regional imbalance. The order is applicable only in Delhi while this system is not applicable in other cities of NCR like Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad. This causes two problems- older vehicle owners can fill fuel from other cities of NCR. This will not only violate the law, but will also promote illegal fuel smuggling and black market. Secondly, ANPR cameras are not installed in NCR, which is impossible to integrate and effectively use technology. In such a situation, this rule should not be implemented until this system is ready throughout NCR.
3. threat to livelihood, dissatisfaction in public
Both Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta have given special emphasis on the social influences of this order. Sirsa wrote in his letter, “Everyday life, trade and livelihood of millions is dependent on these vehicles. Life is being badly affected by sudden closure of fuel supply.”
Rekha Gupta also tweeted and called it a unilateral decision and said that the government is committed to control of air pollution, but it is equally important to maintain socio-economic balance. Vehicles in Delhi are not just a means of transport, but a means of living for many people, such as cab driver, delivery agent, auto driver and small businessmen.
4. Planning to remove old vehicles from the policy of phase-out
The Delhi government has also outlined an alternative policy. In a letter sent to the Commission, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has said that several tough steps have been taken to deal with pollution in the capital, including implementing strict examination of the pollution under Control (PUC) certificate for vehicles from outside states. The government is planning to send SMS to the owners of EOL vehicles 2-3 months ago so that they can plan to remove their vehicles on time. Sirsa said that it is more important than the age of the vehicles to see how much pollution she is spreading.
Whether the order of ‘No Fuel’ returned in the capital?
Now the question arises whether the order of ‘No Fuel’ has been returned after the Delhi government comes on the backfoot? In fact, the Delhi government has only requested the vehicles who have completed age, only requested to withdraw the ‘no fuel’ rule, CAQM has not yet withdrawn the order. According to CAQM sources, the commission will decide on this on merit basis. Till then the old order will be effective. CAQM President Rajesh Verma is currently on a tour of Chandigarh, due to which the decision may be slightly delayed. Although from Delhi government so far
Tangled perspective of judicial orders
The entire case is based on the old orders of the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT). In 2018, the Supreme Court ordered that 10 -year -old diesel and 15 year old petrol vehicles will be banned. Earlier in 2014, NGT ordered that vehicles more than 15 years old were banned from parking in public places.
The Delhi government says that the first AAP government should have challenged these orders or ask for a clear direction on their practical implementation.
Manjinder Singh Sirsa blamed the former Aam Aadmi Party government for this entire issue. He said that the AAP government should have challenged this ban in the court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT), but they implemented it.
Delhi CM said- committed to pollution control but …
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that the Delhi government is fully committed to reducing pollution, but the difficulties of the public cannot be ignored. He informed in the X post that a letter has been written to the Air Quality Commission (CAQM) that the decision not to fuel the End-off-LIFE should be reconsidered.
Rekha Gupta said, “This decision is affecting the livelihood and life of millions of people. We are working for clean and sustainable transport, but the decision should be that which is according to the needs of the public.”
He said that through the letter of Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, the government has demanded that this order should be stopped immediately and a practical and phased solution should be found by interacting with all the parties. In the end, he said that the Delhi government is standing with public interest and the convenience of the people will be taken care of.
Opposition AAP attack, told public’s victory
The Aam Aadmi Party attacked the BJP on this whole incident. Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bhardwaj said, “Congratulations to the people of Delhi. The Tughlaqi order to seize the old vehicles had to be withdrawn by the BJP government of Delhi. It is the victory of the people and reveals the government’s dual policy, which does politics of appearances about court orders.”
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