Delhi urges air quality panel to halt fuel ban on old vehicles, cites operational hurdles
In a letter to the air quality panel, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that the 'immediate implementation' of the ban may 'be premature and potentially counterproductive'.
The ban, which came into effect on Tuesday, was enforced to phase out end-of-life vehicles to tackle air pollution. Under the directive, petrol vehicles over 15 years old and diesel vehicles over 10 years old would no longer be allowed to refuel.
To enforce the ban, automatic number plate recognition cameras were installed at nearly 350 petrol pumps across the national capital to detect such vehicles, The Hindu reported.
On Thursday, Sirsa told the Commission for Air Quality Management that the system was not working properly at several locations, The Indian Express reported.
'There are several technical glitches in the system, which include wrong placement of cameras, faulty sensors, non-functional speakers and improper sound output,' the newspaper quoted the letter as saying.
The minister added that the automatic number plate recognition system needed more testing and correction before it could be implemented.
He urged the air quality panel to put the ban on hold till the system was 'seamlessly integrated across the entire NCR and is technologically consistent'.
The letter also said that the system was not integrated with the vehicular data of neighbouring states in the National Capital Region, which made it ineffective in identifying outside vehicles that entered the capital for refuelling, The Indian Express reported.
Several vehicles without High Security Registration Plates were also not being detected by the camera, the minister said. These registration plates are mandatory for all vehicles and feature unique security elements such as a chromium hologram and laser-etched identification number.
Sirsa also noted that implementing the ban only in Delhi would be unfair. 'Implementation in only Delhi will dilute the impact and shift the burden unfairly,' the letter said.
There was 'public discontent and outcry' due to the 'technological inconsistencies of this extremely complex system and lack of integration with neighbouring states', the minister added.
On Tuesday, 80 end-of-life vehicles were seized and 98 that could not be impounded were issued notices, according to The Indian Express.
Delhi has more than 62 lakh end-of-life vehicles, the Hindustan Times cited data from the government's VAHAN database as having indicated.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Amarnath Yatra now on; police confident about security: 'The people are our strength'
The Jammu and Kashmir police have intensified security arrangements in the Doda region as the Shri Amarnath Yatra commenced, while also reaffirming their commitment to eliminating terrorism from the area. Pilgrims arrive at Baltal Base Camp for the Amarnath Yatra.(ANI) Speaking to ANI about the security measures in place, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sandeep Mehta said, 'Kishtwar district has made solid preparations on the Kishtwar-Batote route. Four checkpoints are set up on the NH244, with the main checkpoint at Baggar. When the Amarnath Yatra crosses this point, our police party ensures that no unscrupulous elements pass through.' SSP Mehta also visited the far-flung area of Gandoh, where he reviewed the ground-level situation and interacted with local officials and residents. "We have fully strengthened security along NH244 from Assar to Thathri and established four checkpoints as the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra has now commenced. This route is also being actively used for the Yatra movement, and all necessary measures have been put in place to ensure safety and smooth passage," said the SSP. Further, addressing the broader issue of militancy in the region, SSP Mehta emphasised the department's firm resolve to restore complete peace in Doda. "We have witnessed militancy in the past here in Doda, and we are fully committed to neutralising all terrorists present in the region. However, before achieving this, I appeal to the public to extend their full cooperation to the police and security forces. The people are our strength," he stated. Meanwhile, as part of efforts to combat drug-related crime, the Doda Police also continued their anti-narcotics campaign. "So far, we have registered 15 FIRs against individuals involved in drug peddling and related illegal activities as part of our ongoing efforts to combat the drug menace," SSP Mehta added.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Man Who Ranted About His 16-Year-Old Mercedes Said This After Fuel Ban Pause In Delhi
Last Updated: Delhi man breathed a sigh of relief after the government paused its End-of-life Rule that banned older vehicles from filling their tanks. Shivrattan Dhillon recently took to X to express his strong disagreement with Delhi's fuel ban for older cars running in the city. The government's decision to combat pollution and encourage sustainable mobility by prohibiting older vehicles from refuelling with petrol or diesel sparked widespread online outrage. Many voiced frustration with the strict law, arguing that their older vehicles, though well-maintained and compliant with pollution tests, faced impoundment or scrapping if caught by cameras at select city petrol pumps. Dhillon was among the many who voiced their anger, and his post about his father's 16-year-old Mercedes went viral on 'X' while resonating with many who found themselves in a similar sticky situation. 'This is my dad's 16-year-old Mercedes E280 V6 still running stronger and cleaner than most of the so-called modern cars that keep breaking down on roads. Every single button still works, and the engine? Still does 0–100 in just 6–7 seconds. Zero pollution, zero nonsense. But sadly, I have to label it a 'vintage scrap" just because we live in a country where politicians have zero love for cars! I challenge the government to prove it pollutes. They won't, but they'll still penalize it!" Dhillon wrote as he shared the photos of this family's Mercedes car. End-of-life Rule On Hold The rule that came into effect on July 1 lasted two days, after which it was put on hold. 'Delhi Chief Minister has assured residents that old vehicles will not be impounded arbitrarily. We will not allow old vehicles to be impounded. At the same time, we are committed to controlling pollution in Delhi," Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said. This came after a widespread backlash from Delhi residents and criticism from opposition leaders. 'Delhi residents are already facing issues regarding End-of-Life Vehicles. The government has written to the Chairman of CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) and stated that it lacks the necessary infrastructure to implement the policy," he added as he acknowledged the discontent of the Delhi residents over the end-of-life rule. Sigh Of Relief As the Delhi government paused the End-of-Life vehicle impounding policy, Dhillon once again took to 'X', this time to express his happiness that the voice of the common citizen prevailed. 'DELHI GOVERNMENT TO ADJUST VEHICLE POLICY – Delhi government to modify vehicle policy, sparing old vehicles from scrapping – Only polluting vehicles will be scrapped, not all vehicles It feels like we finally made it grateful to everyone who supported us, especially the national news channels!" DELHI GOVERNMENT TO ADJUSTVEHICLE POLICY– Delhi government to modify vehicle policy, sparing old vehicles from scrapping– Only polluting vehicles will be scrapped, not all vehicles It feels like we finally made it grateful to everyone who supported us, especially the… — Rattan Dhillon (@ShivrattanDhil1) July 3, 2025 He further informed that following his original post, he received several offers from potential buyers to purchase his father's Mercedes. He claimed he received upwards of 500 messages from people who offered him twice or triple the current price of an old Mercedes E280 V6. 'Received over 500 similar messages people offering double or even triple the current price for the old Mercedes E280 V6. It's heartening to see the love for classic machines still alive. There's something timeless about that old-school charm the pure driving feel. With modern cars, buyers test drive, analyze features, compare endlessly before deciding. But with these old Mercs, people are ready to seal the deal without even seeing the vehicle. That's the kind of respect cars used to command built to last a lifetime, unlike today's models that feel outdated in just a few years!(sic)" News18's viral page features trending stories, videos, and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : delhi Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 04, 2025, 14:12 IST News viral Man Who Ranted About His 16-Year-Old Mercedes Said This After Fuel Ban Pause In Delhi
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
India's two adversaries on one border: Dy Army chief points to China's support for Pakistan
India's Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Capability Development and Sustenance), Lt Gen Rahul R Singh , on Friday said China fed live operational data to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor , putting India's frontline under constant watch. Speaking at the 'New Age Military Technologies' event organised by FICCI , he said bluntly, 'When the DGMO level talks were going on, Pakistan was getting live inputs of our deployment from China. So that is one place we really need to move fast and take appropriate action.' He added that this direct pipeline turned Pakistan's battlefield into a live testing ground for China's weapons. 'China can test its weapons against other weapons, so it's like a live lab available to them,' Singh said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now Undo — ANI (@ANI) Pakistan's arsenal: Mostly Chinese Lt Gen Singh underlined that Pakistan's dependence on China has grown deeper than many realise. 'In the last five years, 81% of the military hardware with Pakistan is Chinese,' he stated. Live Events During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan's ability to track India's important vectors in real time changed the shape of the operation. Singh said this revealed a critical gap in India's defences that must be closed fast. Turkey's drones in play China was not the only partner. Singh pointed out that Turkey's involvement gave Pakistan advanced drones. 'Turkey also played an important role in providing the type of support it did; they gave Bayraktar and numerous other drones,' he said. These drones added another layer of surveillance and strike options for Pakistan's side during the operation. Air Defence: Weak spot in focus Singh did not mince words about India's air shield. 'Air Defence and how it panned out during the entire operation was important... This time, our population centres were not quite addressed, but next time, we need to be prepared for that,' he said. He warned that India's cities could be in the crosshairs if hostilities flare again. To meet this, he pushed for a stronger, faster air defence network to counter live updates and drone threats. Operation Sindoor: A precision response Operation Sindoor was India's response to the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians, for which The Resistance Front, a Lashkar-e-Taiba front, claimed responsibility. Singh explained that the strikes were not random but chosen with care. 'There are a few lessons from Operation Sindoor. The strategic messaging by leadership was unambiguous... There is no scope of absorbing the pain the way we did a few years ago,' he said. India combined new tech with human intelligence to shortlist 21 terror-linked targets. In the final moments, nine were picked for engagement. 'It was only the final day or the final hour that the decision was taken that these nine targets would be engaged,' he said. Integrated force, escalation in control A key takeaway for India's military, Singh said, is the power of an integrated response. 'A considered decision was taken that it will be a tri-services approach to send the right message that we indeed are an integrated force,' he said. He added that India must always stay a step ahead on the 'escalation ladder'. 'When we reach a military objective, we should try and put a stop to it... War is easy to initiate, but it's very difficult to control. So I would say that was a very masterly stroke that was played to stop the war at an appropriate time,' he said. The ceasefire that followed, Singh noted, came when 'Punch was ready, Pakistan realised it could be in a bad condition, that is the reason why they asked for a ceasefire.' Message to adversaries: No more absorbing pain Summing up the bigger signal, Singh made it clear that India's strategy has changed. 'There would be punitive action if required. There is no scope of absorbing pain, the way we did a few years ago. That is one important message that stands out loud and clear,' he said. The lesson from Operation Sindoor — India faces a linked China-Pakistan axis , drones and real-time threats. But it also has sharper eyes, a quicker sword, and a clear will to strike back when needed.
