Murder and kidnapping, rampant at Delhi pumps, as authorities impose a car ban

India Today

18 hours ago

Rajesh was out with his beloved Senorita, not a flamenco dancer, but his trusted diesel car, on an ordinary weekday morning. Like many mornings before, he pulled into a Delhi fuel pump to top up. But what happened next was anything but ordinary. Two men in Khaki wardis approached him and, without preamble, asked him to hand over Senorita. Utterly bewildered, Rajesh mustered the courage to ask why. The answer came in the form of a blunt statement that the cameras had detected that his Senorita was over 10 years old and had lost the right to live. Senorita, Rajesh's beloved diesel car was bought with his hard-earned money. The 7-year EMI term had only just ended a few years ago, finally bringing him financial relief.advertisementThis wasn't a random act of coercion. It was enforcement in action. An act of legalised injustice which feels like theft in broad daylight is, on paper, perfectly lawful. In what can be called state-sponsored swindling, vehicles are being taken from their owners under the guise of environmental compliance.There are hundreds of people like Rajesh on Delhi's streets today, whose prized possessions are being confiscated by authorities. The situation has become so dire that people have started selling off their expensive cars at throwaway prices just to avoid a total loss.
Delhi's crackdown on "end-of-life vehicles." not death but the presumed end by the authorities, those older than 10 years for diesels and 15 for petrol has reached fuel stations, where surveillance cameras now scan number plates and automatically flag non-compliant vehicles. Owners like Rajesh are then denied fuel, sometimes even coerced into surrendering their vehicles on the spot.advertisementThis Draconian measure, aimed at curbing air pollution, has instead ignited a firestorm of criticism for its heavy-handed enforcement and lack of empathy. Owners of well-maintained vehicles, many still in pristine condition, are being forced to surrender their prized possessions or sell them at throwaway prices to avoid total loss. The policy's blanket approach, ignoring roadworthiness or valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates is absurd and anti-middle class.With Delhi consistently ranking amongst the world's most polluted cities, the government has scrambled for solutions, often at the expense of its citizens. But targeting older vehicles alone, without addressing larger pollution sources, is unlikely to bring any meaningful or lasting improvement in air quality.What was meant to be a green initiative now feels like a forced scrapping drive. While environmental concerns are valid, the implementation has lacked empathy and foresight. There are no clear rehabilitation measures for affected vehicle owners; no compensation, no government support, and certainly no transition period.Instead of enough incentives to switch to cleaner alternatives or retrofitting options, Delhi has chosen the stick over the carrot. The intention may be clean air, but the road taken is leaving behind a trail of resentment, ruined finances, and abandoned dreams.advertisementSocial media platforms, particularly X, have become a place for venting frustration, with vehicle owners like Ratan Dhillon highlighting the plight of lakhs of affected vehicle owners.
Ratan Dhillon's tweet is a passionate critique of Delhi's vehicle ban policy, particularly its blanket treatment of older vehicles as polluters, regardless of their actual condition. In his post, Dhillon showcases his father's 16-year-old Mercedes E280 V6, proudly noting that it still performs exceptionally well, with every feature functioning flawlessly. He argues that it's more reliable and still cleaner than many modern vehicles that often break down. However, despite its excellent condition, he laments that he's now forced to label it 'vintage scrap' because of India's strict age-based vehicle laws. His tweet expresses deep frustration that decisions are being made without regard for automotive value, engineering quality, or environmental nuance. Dhillon ends with a challenge to the government, asking them to prove that his car is polluting. He asserts they won't be able to, but they'll still penalise him under the current system, underscoring what he sees as an irrational and unfair policy.
advertisementAnother X user criticised the move, calling it a case of 'selective sacrifice' disguised as environmental reform. Highlighting the unequal burden of the policy, the user pointed out that while gig workers, small business owners, and middle-class families are left stranded. Despite having valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate, many vehicles are now deemed illegal purely based on age raising questions about whether the government is truly targeting emissions, or merely targeting the poor. The post ends with a scathing rhetorical question: 'Are we banning emissions or just the poor?"For now, the capital's fuel stations are the new battleground, where machines are judged not by their emissions, but by their birthdays. For now, stories like Rajesh's, where dreams built on hard-earned money are crushed overnight, continue to fuel a cry for fairness and reason.Subscribe to Auto Today Magazine- EndsMust Watch