CAQM defers ELV fuel ban to Nov 1, expands it to NCR

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas on Tuesday amended its order banning the refuelling of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) in Delhi, deferring its implementation to November 1. The decision comes just a week after the directive took effect, following strong objections from the Delhi government over apparent technical challenges and legal inconsistencies.

- Jasjeev Gandhiok and Snehil Sinha

The fuel ban—initially enforced in Delhi alone—will now be rolled out simultaneously in five other high-vehicle-density NCR districts: Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, and Sonepat. The rest of NCR will follow from April 1, 2026.

The changes were made during CAQM's 24th general meeting with representatives of all NCR states in attendance.

The reversal came after the Delhi government last week requested the direction be put on hold, citing operational difficulties in enforcement and lack of coordination among NCR states.

In its revised order, CAQM acknowledged “technical glitches” in Delhi's Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system, including sensor failures, poor camera placement, and integration issues with vehicle databases across NCR.

“[The Delhi government]... has brought to the attention of the commission...the ANPR system lacks the requisite robustness, with issues related to technological glitches, camera placement, working of sensors and speakers, and that the system is not yet fully integrated with the database of NCR states,” CAQM said in a statement on Tuesday.