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Hans India
18 hours ago
- Automotive
- Hans India
Delhi enforces fuel ban on over-age vehicles
In a major move to combat air pollution, the Delhi government has enforced a strict fuel ban on 'end-of-life' (EoL) vehicles -- petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years -- from being refuelled at petrol pumps across the national capital. Authorities confirmed that two motorcycles have already been identified and seized under the new enforcement, and the vehicles will be scrapped in accordance with the official policy. The crackdown follows the alarming findings by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), whose November 2024 analysis found that vehicles contribute 51 per cent of pollution from all local emission sources in Delhi -- making them the single largest source of air pollution in the city. The Transport Department has implemented a multi-agency deployment plan involving the Delhi Police, Traffic Police, and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) personnel at strategically chosen petrol stations, particularly those with a high volume of old vehicles. Delhi Police officers have been assigned to petrol stations numbered 1 to 100, while the Transport Department has deployed 59 dedicated teams across stations numbered 101 to 159. One traffic police officer has been stationed at each of the 350 petrol pumps identified for monitoring refuelling activities, with two additional police personnel present at every station to maintain law and order during the drive. To support real-time detection, 498 fuel stations have been equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. These cameras, integrated with the national VAHAN database, automatically identify overage vehicles and alert fuel station operators. Once flagged, details of these vehicles are sent to enforcement teams for immediate action, including impounding and scrapping. Traffic Inspector Ashok Kumar, speaking to IANS, said, "According to the Delhi government's guidelines and directions from senior officers, EoL vehicles which are over 10 years diesel and over 15 years petrol will be acted upon. Four petrol pumps have been identified in the Parliament Street circle with ANPR cameras installed, and we have deployed our transport and local police staff there." "The ANPR cameras will detect the vehicle and trigger an alarm. Our staff has also been given e-Challan software. If any such vehicle is identified, the owner will be informed, and the vehicle will be seized as per procedure and handed over to the Risk-Based Supervisory Framework (RBSF)," he said. He further added, "From the data collected from four petrol pumps so far, we have seized two motorcycles older than 15 years and handed them over to registered scrap dealers. The vehicle owners can claim reimbursement directly from the scrapping authority."


Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Make Aravalli range a ‘no-go' zone for landfills, burning & dumping of waste in Haryana, report recommends
Severe environmental degradation and a public health crisis triggered by the 'illegal' dumping and burning of waste in the expansive Aravalli range in Haryana are among the concerns flagged in a recent report titled 'The State of the Haryana Aravallis: Citizens' Report – Part 2', which was released on Tuesday. Prepared by the People for Aravallis, a nonprofit, the report was submitted to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday. It recommends making the entire range in Haryana a 'no-go' zone for landfills, burning, and the dumping of waste. It further suggests conducting independent studies to properly assess the damage caused by such practices. The first part of the report, released on May 30, was primarily concerned with the damage caused by the large-scale illegal mining and deforestation in the area, while the second part is focused on waste dumping and its ramifications in the region. The report identifies over 100 geo-tagged locations across Gurgaon, Faridabad, Nuh, Rewari, and Charkhi Dadri districts where alleged illegal waste disposal has contributed to the contamination of soil, groundwater, and air. Supported by conservationist Dr Rajendra Singh and waste management experts, the report calls for immediate action to protect this ancient ecosystem. The range, 692 km in length, spanning from Gujarat to Delhi through Rajasthan, is home to diverse wildlife. Highlighting the need to protect the ecological region, the report underlines that the range supports a wide range of species, including leopards, hyenas, and over 200 bird species. The report points out that in Nuh's Tauru region, villages like Khori Khurd and Khori Kalan host illegal units that burn industrial waste from Bhiwadi, Rajasthan. This was despite a May 2025 order prohibiting open burning of all types of waste, including solid, liquid, and organic, in the Aravalli region of Nuh. Further, the report flags that waste burning, which involves plastics and chemicals, releases toxic gases, worsening air quality in Delhi-NCR. The Bandhwari landfill in Gurgaon and a dump near the ITI Colony at the Sohna-Alwar road contribute to the degradation. A 2022 Centre for Science and Environment study has found high levels of pathogens and heavy metals in the area near Bandhwari landfill, raising serious ecological concerns. Neelam Ahluwalia, founder-member of People for Aravallis, cited weak monitoring as a trigger facilitating waste dumping and burning. 'We need an Aravalli Protection Task Force Committee in each district, led by the Deputy Commissioner and overseen by the Chief Secretary, to ensure accountability', she underlined. According to Brahim Khal of the Jal Biradari social movement, the chemical-laden waste in Tauru villages pollutes groundwater, harms people, cattle, as well as wildlife. To curtail this, he proposed 24/7 checkposts and drone surveillance along the Nuh-Rajasthan border, with the footage shared publicly for transparency. Dr Shyamala Mani, a waste management expert, urged the enforcement of the 2016 Solid Waste Management Rules, emphasising source segregation, composting, and recycling to reduce landfill reliance. While adding that landfills should be moved outside eco-sensitive areas, she also called for a ban on single-use plastics in the Aravalli districts.


Hans India
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Hans India
Fuel ban on overage vehicles in national Capital draws mixed reactions from Delhiites
New Delhi: Delhi's decision to enforce a strict fuel ban on 'end-of-life' (EoL) vehicles -- petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years -- has drawn mixed reactions from residents of the national Capital. While many have welcomed the move as a necessary step to curb pollution, others have questioned its logic and uniformity. Authorities have already seized two motorcycles flagged under the new policy and sent them for scrapping as part of the enforcement process. The crackdown follows alarming data from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), which, in a November 2024 analysis, revealed that vehicular emissions contribute to 51 per cent of Delhi's local pollution -- the highest share among all sources. Speaking to IANS, Delhiites shared diverse opinions on the initiative. A local said, "As you know, pollution in Delhi is very high. Considering all these factors, the government's step is very good to remove the overage vehicles." Another added, "Due to pollution, many people suffer. This decision taken by the government is praiseworthy as it will reduce pollution in Delhi." Echoing similar sentiments, another resident said, "The government has taken the right decision to curb pollution in Delhi. Those who are still going on using their EoL vehicles should face strict action." However, some questioned the criteria and consistency of the policy. One resident pointed out, "A law should be equal for everyone. For some vehicles, the time limit is 15 years, and for some, it is 10. Either do it for 10 years or 15 years for all the vehicles. The government is doing just what it likes to." "Not much can be achieved through this. The government should either make the time limit 10 years or 15 years. Pollution is the same for all vehicles. We are not with the government in this," another added. As enforcement teams continue to monitor and act against violators across 498 petrol pumps using Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras and police support, the success of the fuel ban will likely depend on consistent implementation and public cooperation in the days ahead.


Hans India
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Hans India
Delhi Implements Fuel Ban For 62 Lakh Aging Vehicles To Combat Air Pollution
Delhi residents may notice new signage at fuel stations declaring that petrol and diesel will not be dispensed to end-of-life vehicles, marking the beginning of an ambitious environmental initiative targeting the capital's severe air pollution crisis. The Delhi government has implemented a comprehensive fuel ban affecting vehicles that have exceeded their prescribed operational lifespan, specifically targeting petrol vehicles over 15 years old and diesel vehicles over 10 years old. This sweeping measure directly addresses the fact that vehicles constitute the largest source of pollution in Delhi, contributing more than half of all local emissions according to research conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment released in November 2024. The staggering impact of this policy will be felt across approximately 62 lakh vehicles in Delhi alone, with additional effects rippling through the National Capital Region where Haryana has 27.5 lakh overaged vehicles, Uttar Pradesh has 12.69 lakh, and Rajasthan accounts for 6.2 lakh such vehicles. The enforcement mechanism represents a coordinated effort involving multiple agencies working in tandem to ensure compliance. The Commission for Air Quality Management has issued Statutory Direction No 89, which mandates strict action against all categories of end-of-life vehicles including goods carriers, commercial vehicles, vintage automobiles, and two-wheelers throughout the NCR. The Transport Department has developed a comprehensive deployment strategy that positions Delhi Police, Traffic Police, and Municipal Corporation of Delhi personnel at fuel stations experiencing high volumes of overaged vehicle traffic. Implementation involves a systematic approach where Delhi Police officers are stationed at fuel stations numbered 1 through 100, while the Transport Department has mobilized 59 specialized teams covering stations 101 through 159. Each of the 350 identified petrol pumps will have a dedicated traffic police officer responsible for monitoring and preventing fuel dispensation to prohibited vehicles, supplemented by two additional personnel to maintain order during enforcement operations. The technological backbone of this initiative relies on Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras installed at 498 fuel stations across the city. These sophisticated systems are integrated with the VAHAN database, enabling real-time cross-verification of vehicle registration details and automatic alerts to fuel station operators when an overaged vehicle attempts to refuel. The same data is simultaneously shared with enforcement agencies to facilitate vehicle impounding and scrapping procedures. Despite the government's determination to improve air quality, ground-level concerns have emerged regarding the practical implementation of this ambitious scheme. Nischal Singhania, a Delhi petrol dealer, expressed reservations about the lack of preliminary testing, questioning the sustainability of enforcement presence and the potential consequences for fuel station operators who might inadvertently serve prohibited vehicles. He advocates for simultaneous rollout across the entire NCR to ensure uniform enforcement and prevent circumvention through cross-border refueling. Commuters have echoed similar concerns about the abrupt implementation without adequate public awareness campaigns. Mohit, a regular commuter, highlighted the particular challenges facing uneducated populations and transit passengers who may be unaware of the new restrictions. His suggestion for a trial period of 15 to 30 days reflects broader community sentiment about the need for phased implementation with proper public education. Field visits to fuel stations revealed additional implementation challenges, with staff at a Green Park location admitting they had not received proper training on denial procedures for violating vehicles. This gap between policy announcement and ground-level preparedness raises questions about the immediate effectiveness of the enforcement mechanism. Vehicle owners have raised concerns about the blanket nature of the ban, arguing that well-maintained older vehicles that pass pollution tests should not be penalized alongside genuinely harmful vehicles. The suggestion that all drivers should possess valid Pollution Under Control Certificates reflects a preference for performance-based rather than age-based restrictions. The policy represents a significant shift in Delhi's approach to vehicular pollution control, moving from incentive-based scrapping programs to mandatory fuel access restrictions. While the environmental objectives are clear, the success of this initiative will largely depend on consistent enforcement, public cooperation, and the government's ability to address legitimate concerns about implementation fairness and economic impact on vehicle owners who may not have the immediate means to replace their aging vehicles.


NDTV
2 days ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
62 Lakh Vehicles Won't Get Petrol, Diesel In Delhi From Today
New Delhi: Don't be surprised if you see posters stating "Fuel will not be dispensed to 'end of life' vehicles" at fuel stations in Delhi starting today. In its effort to curb air pollution, the Delhi government has enforced a fuel ban for 'end-of-life' or overage vehicles, that is, petrol vehicles aged 15 years or older and diesel vehicles aged 10 years or older. Vehicles are the top polluters in the national capital Delhi, accounting for more than half (51 per cent) of the pollution from all local emission sources, according to an analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), released in November 2024. Keeping this in mind, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) issued Statutory Direction No 89, enforcing stringent measures against end-of-life vehicles of all types (goods carrier, commercial, vintage, two-wheelers) across the NCR. This move will affect around 62 lakh vehicles (61,14,728) in Delhi alone. There are 27.5 lakh overaged vehicles (as of March 2025) in Haryana, 12.69 lakh in Uttar Pradesh and 6.2 lakh in Rajasthan. How Would The Ban Be Implemented The Transport Department has chalked out a deployment plan, involving Delhi Police, Traffic Police and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) personnel at fuel stations reporting a high volume of visitors with overaged vehicles. Delhi Police personnel will be deployed in fuel stations numbered 1 to 100, while the Transport Department will mobilise 59 exclusive teams across fuel stations numbered 101 to 159. One traffic police officer will be stationed at each of the 350 identified petrol pumps to monitor and prevent the refuelling of old vehicles. Two additional police personnel will be deployed at each petrol pump to maintain law and order during the enforcement drive. End-of-life vehicles will be identified by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, which have been installed at 498 fuel stations. The cameras, integrated with the VAHAN database, will cross-verify number plates and alert the fuel station operator. This vehicle will also be shared with enforcement agencies for impounding and scrapping of old vehicles. On-Ground Concerns And Reality Nischal Singhania, a Delhi petrol dealer, believes that a trial run should have been conducted before implementing a big scheme like this. "How long would the enforcement team stay? 30 days, 60 days, 90 days? How do we handle the situation after that? There is also a fear of missing a vehicle, as we would be penalised. This scheme should be rolled out simultaneously across NCR." Mohit, a commuter, shared similar thoughts and suggested a trial run lasting 15 to 30 days. "It could be an issue for people who are not aware of this move. A week-long trial would have helped. Nothing has been done to create awareness among people, especially those who are uneducated. Those transiting through Delhi will be badly affected." NDTV visited one of the fuel stations in Delhi's Green Park, where the staff claimed they had not been trained on how to implement the move and deny fuel to violators. "There are many old vehicles that are well-maintained and may not be harmful to the environment. What about those? There should be a proper check in place, otherwise it will burn a hole in people's pockets. Also, all drivers should have a valid PUCC (Pollution Under Control Certificate)," said a two-wheeler rider.