On July 1, Delhi launched the end-of-life vehicle policy to remove old cars from its roads. Just two days later, the policy was paused. Why? Because it didn’t go as planned.
This sudden U-turn left citizens confused and angry. What was supposed to be a green move turned into a messy roadblock.
What Is the End-of-Life Vehicle Policy?
The policy targeted two types of vehicles:
- Diesel cars older than 10 years
- Petrol cars older than 15 years
These old vehicles were blamed for polluting the air. According to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Delhi had over 6.1 million such vehicles as of March 2025.
To control their use, fuel stations were ordered to deny fuel to these vehicles. Traffic cameras and officers were watching closely. On Day 1, 24 vehicles were impounded and 80 notices were sent.
What Went Wrong?
It all fell apart fast.
People complained. Surveillance systems didn’t work properly. Data was unreliable. Long queues formed at petrol pumps. Many got caught even though their vehicles were legal.
The Delhi Environment Minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, sent an urgent letter to the CAQM asking for the policy to be paused. He said the ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) system wasn’t ready.
Until that tech is in place, the crackdown felt unfair and rushed.
Public Reactions Were Divided
Some supported the idea:
“Pollution is killing us. If your car is old and pollutes, it should go.”
Others felt punished:
“I can’t afford a new bike. How can I live without fuel?”
This is the emotional heart of the issue: clean air vs. daily survival. Most people want cleaner air, but not everyone can afford the cost of sudden change.
What Now?
The policy is on hold, but the problem is still there. Delhi’s air remains one of the most toxic in the world. The government says they’re also planting 7 million trees this year to help.
Also Read Petrol Pumps to Stop Providing Fuel to These Vehicles Starting July 1 — But Why?
