Delhi Old-Age Vehicle Ban: CM Proposes Alternative Plan Amid Backlash From Car Owners, Here’s What She Said

Delhi Vehicle Ban:  Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) announced a ban on refuelling of overage vehicles in Delhi from July 1, 2025. Initially, the Delhi government supported the mandate from CAQM, but on July 9, 2025, the directive from CAQM was put on hold. CM Rekha Gupta led Delhi Government, then moved to the Supreme Court, challenging its 2018 order to ban End of Life vehicles.

Backlash From Car Owners

Soon after the Delhi Government implemented the CAQM’s directive, it faced severe backlash from car owners. Many instances were reported where people had to sell their cherished vehicles. One of such cases involved a Mercedes-Benz ML 350 vehicles, which was sold for Just Rs 2.5 lakhs by the owner. Another such case involved a 16-year old pollution-free Mercedes-Benz, which was marked ‘Vintage Scrap’.

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Hold On The Directive

Citing the Public Outrage and systemic challenges in implementing directive of ban of End-Of-Life vehicles, the Delhi government put a hold on the directive. Later, the Government moved to the Supreme Court challenging its 2018 order, that backed NGT’s (National Green Tribunal) suggestion of putting a ban on End-Of-Life Vehicles.

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CM Rekha Gupta’s New Plan

CM Rekha Gupta wants to approach the vehicular pollution in a balanced manner. As per the CM, ‘The rules in Delhi must be the same as those applicable anywhere else in the country.’ The CM also said that the vehicles should be banned if they’re causing pollution, and it should not be based on the age of the vehicles. She said ‘A polluting vehicles should be phased out even if it is 5 years old. However, a vehicle which is not causing pollution, and passes the fitness test should be allowed on road.