A recent crackdown on older vehicles in Delhi has reignited public fury. As per the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Supreme Court orders, the Delhi government has enforced strict age limits:
Diesel vehicles over 10 years old
Petrol vehicles over 15 years old
…are now permanently banned from plying on roads, regardless of condition or emissions compliance.
🔥 What's Fueling the Anger?
The outrage stems from the perceived mismatch between:
Road tax collected for 15 years at time of registration
Actual usable life of only 10 years for diesel vehicles
Citizens argue that:
They’re being penalized prematurely
There's no refund or incentive for early disposal
Many vehicles are still in excellent condition, used infrequently
🏛️ Government's Justification
Authorities point to:
Air pollution levels in Delhi NCR
Past court orders mandating the removal of older internal combustion engine vehicles
The push for electric mobility and greener alternatives
RTOs have begun deregistering non-compliant vehicles and denying fitness certificates post-deadline.
🔁 What Are the Options for Affected Owners?
Scrap the vehicle and claim possible incentives under Delhi’s scrapping policy
Transfer ownership to states that do not enforce the same age limit
Convert to EV (Electric Vehicle) retrofitting — though costly and still limited
File grievances through public forums or local transport authorities
📊 Key Timeline Summary
| Vehicle Type | Allowed Age | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 10 Years | Must be scrapped or moved out of Delhi |
| Petrol | 15 Years | Same enforcement applies |
| Road Tax | 15 Years | Still charged upfront, with no reimbursement |
📌 Final Word
While environmental concerns remain valid, the lack of clarity and compensation mechanisms has triggered dissatisfaction among vehicle owners. Many are now calling for policy revisions, partial tax refunds, or alternative mobility subsidies to ensure a fair transition to cleaner transport
Published on 3rd july
Publisher : SMITA
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