The Delhi government has stated that implementing a blanket fuel ban on overage vehicles in the national capital is currently not feasible, citing significant technological and systemic challenges. The announcement comes in response to rising concerns over vehicular pollution in the city and proposals to curb the use of ageing, polluting vehicles.

Officials explained that the complexity of existing monitoring systems, coupled with technical limitations, makes it difficult to strictly enforce a fuel ban targeting vehicles beyond their permissible age. In Delhi, diesel vehicles over 10 years old and petrol vehicles over 15 years old are classified as overage and are banned from plying on city roads under National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines.

While acknowledging the need for stricter pollution control measures, authorities highlighted the lack of robust technological infrastructure, including real-time identification and verification mechanisms at fuel stations, as a key hurdle in implementing such a ban effectively.

The government has emphasised that alternative enforcement strategies are being explored, with a focus on long-term, sustainable solutions to tackle vehicular emissions. Officials also assured that they are working with various stakeholders to address the existing gaps and strengthen anti-pollution initiatives in the city.