Here’s some good news for CNG car owners in Delhi! As the capital gears up for one of its biggest anti-pollution drives from July 1, CNG cars have been kept out of the immediate ban, offering relief to thousands of owners who rely on these cleaner fuel vehicles for daily commutes.
While Delhi’s roads will see action against 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles, CNG vehicles, even those over 15 years old, can continue to operate without fear for now.
Delhi’s New Pollution Control Drive: What’s Happening?
The Delhi government’s new enforcement drive comes after the Supreme Court’s directive to strictly implement the ban on old vehicles to combat the city’s severe air pollution levels.
Key actions under the plan:
- Ban on 10-year-old diesel cars and 15-year-old petrol cars from July 1.
- Automatic Number Plate Reading (ANPR) cameras installed at petrol pumps to catch old vehicles.
- Vehicles caught violating the age rule will be denied fuel, seized, and sent for scrapping.
- Delhi Traffic Police will deploy extra forces at petrol pumps to handle disputes during enforcement.
- Petrol pumps identified as “sensitive” will receive 24-hour police deployment for smooth implementation.
Why CNG Cars Are Safe for Now
Transport Commissioner Niharika Rai confirmed that enforcement teams will be sent to petrol pumps, not CNG stations, ensuring that CNG vehicle owners in Delhi can refuel without worry.
Reasons CNG cars are excluded:
- CNG vehicles are considered less polluting compared to diesel and petrol vehicles.
- Authorities are currently focusing on the biggest polluting segments for immediate air quality improvement.
- No orders have been issued yet for the inclusion of 15-year-old CNG cars under the current ban.
The Technology Behind the Enforcement
- ANPR cameras at fuel stations will scan number plates automatically.
- Vehicles older than allowed will be flagged, and fuel stations will deny refuelling.
- Seized vehicles will be transported for scrapping as per pollution control norms.
- Plans are underway to install ANPR cameras at Delhi borders to track non-compliant trucks and buses.
Future Plans for NCR
Currently, this strict ban enforcement applies only to Delhi. Neighboring cities like Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and Sonipat do not yet have ANPR systems in place but plan to install them by November 1, 2025.
Until then, it is expected that some old vehicle owners from Delhi may try to refuel in these neighboring areas to avoid enforcement, but officials are working to close these gaps in the coming months.
Conclusion
The ban on old petrol and diesel vehicles is a critical step toward improving Delhi’s air quality. While it may cause initial disruptions, the move promises long-term environmental benefits.
For now, CNG car owners in Delhi can continue their daily drives without concern, but should continue to maintain their vehicles to ensure they contribute to a cleaner city.
Stay tuned as we bring more updates on how this enforcement will unfold and what further steps Delhi takes to fight pollution while balancing the interests of vehicle owners in the capital.
Also Read: Delhi Govt Announces SOPs as Fuel Ban for Older Vehicles Begins July 1
