The Delhi government’s recent ban on fuel for old vehicles has sparked significant backlash. Amidst the public outrage, the BJP government seeks a suspension of the ban. This action raises questions about its feasibility. It also impacts citizens’ livelihoods.
Delhi Government Steps In
The Delhi government on July 3 urged the Centre’s air quality panel. It asked to immediately suspend the fuel ban on overage vehicles. It promised to make “all out efforts.” The government aims to resolve issues related to restrictions on the movement of end-of-life vehicles on city roads.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa wrote to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) chairman Rajesh Verma. He stated that the fuel ban is not feasible. He explained it cannot be implemented due to technological challenges.
The move came three days after the ban became effective in the national capital. On Thursday, the traffic police and transport department teams impounded no overage vehicle.
What does the Ban Actually Mean?
Starting July 1, all end-of-life (EOL) vehicles cannot be fuelled in Delhi. This applies to diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years. This rule is irrespective of the state in which they are registered. This is according to a directive by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
But what prompted the Delhi government to rethink the decision days after implementing it? Was it anger from the middle class on social media? Or was it political pressure? These factors pushed the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the national capital to seek more time to implement the decision.
Sirsa, the capital’s environment minister, said that the system being used to identify old vehicles was not fully functional. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the decision was affecting the lives and livelihoods of “lakhs of families.”
Also read: Who Is Rekha Gupta and Why She’s BJP’s Choice for Delhi CM
‘Affecting the lives and livelihoods’
CM Gupta said her government is working on long-term solutions for clean and sustainable transportation. This announcement came after the minister’s letter was made public.
“This decision is adversely affecting the daily lives and livelihoods of millions of families. Our government is fully committed to controlling air pollution. It is working on long-term solutions for clean, sustainable transport,” Gupta said in a post on X.
Through this letter sent by Sirsa ji, we have urged that this order should be immediately suspended. Keeping the public interest paramount is crucial. A practical, equitable, and phased solution should be prepared by consulting all the stakeholders, she said.
“The Delhi Government always stands with the people of Delhi with its resolve for public welfare and public facilities.”
Banning end-of-life vehicles from the roads of Delhi is not a new decision. This applies to both Delhi and NCR (National Capital Region). In 2018, the Supreme Court issued a ruling. It banned diesel vehicles older than 10 years in Delhi. It also banned petrol vehicles older than 15 years. A 2014 National Green Tribunal order also prohibits the parking of vehicles aged over 15 years in public areas.
‘Ban not feasible’
In the letter, Sirsa said the fuel ban is not feasible. He also stated it cannot be implemented due to technological challenges.
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