Prelims – Current Events of National Importance
GS III - Issues Relating to Development | Growth & Development | Renewable Energy | Environmental Pollution & Degradation
Why in News?
Starting July 1, all End-of-Life (EOL) vehicles will be denied fuel in Delhi, with similar restrictions extended five high vehicle density (HVD) districts from Nov 1, 2025.
- Areas of Restriction - This ban will extend to five high vehicle density (HVD) districts like Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, and Sonipat and across the rest of NCR.
- Purpose - To curb the menace of polluting vehicles.
- Banned vehicles - All transport or commercial goods vehicles not compliant with BS-VI, CNG, LNG, or EV (electrical vehicle) standards, unless the vehicles are registered in the Capital.
- End of Life Vehicles (EOL vehicles) - Diesel vehicles, older than 10 years, and petrol vehicles, older than 15 years, are not allowed to ply in the Capital.
- Directions from Centre - Immediate legal action has been directed against EOL vehicles, including impoundment and disposal, except for exempted categories.
- The commission cited past directives from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Supreme Court, which emphasized the role of overaged vehicles in worsening air quality.
- Monitoring & Surveillance - Delhi has been piloting a solution involving Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera systems.
- These systems capture and display vehicle registration details in real-time.
- These are integrated with the centralized VAHAN database.
- It is to identify EoL vehicles and those lacking a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC), and relay audio alerts when a non-compliant vehicle is detected.
VAHAN database provides a nationwide search over the digitized data of Registered Vehicles.
- All fuel stations in Delhi are required to install these systems, as per the Commission’s latest directive.
- The identification of polluting vehicles at the border entry points will also be intensified.
- Exceptions - Only those carrying essential commodities and services will be allowed until Oct 31, 2026.
Reference
The Indian Express | No entry in Delhi for transport vehicles
