The Delhi government has announced a significant measure to combat air pollution by banning fuel for vehicles older than 15 years at petrol pumps across the city. This policy, set to take effect from April 1, 2025, aims to reduce vehicular emissions, a major contributor to Delhi’s pollution issues.
Key Points of the Fuel Ban
- Fuel Restriction: Petrol pumps in Delhi will not provide fuel to vehicles older than 15 years starting April 1, 2025. This includes both petrol and diesel vehicles, with diesel vehicles over 10 years also being restricted.
- Technological Enforcement: Petrol pumps will be equipped with devices to identify vehicles older than 15 years, ensuring that they are denied fuel.
- Background: The Supreme Court had previously banned diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years from plying in Delhi.
- Public Reaction: The decision has received mixed reactions, with some questioning its fairness and others supporting it as a necessary measure to curb pollution.
Additional Pollution Control Measures
- Anti-Smog Guns: The government has mandated the installation of anti-smog guns at high-rise buildings, hotels, commercial complexes, and major construction sites to further reduce pollution.
- Transition to Electric Buses: Nearly 90% of Delhi’s public CNG buses are to be replaced with electric buses by December 2025 as part of the city’s shift towards cleaner transportation.
These measures are part of Delhi’s broader efforts to address its chronic air pollution problem and create a cleaner environment for residents.