ELV engine recycling cartel on the rise in city, say police

Delhi, for years now, has witnessed a scrutiny of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) to curb air pollution — it is mandatory for 15-year-old petrol vehicles and 10-year-old diesel vehicles to undergo fitness tests, failing which they are sent for scrapping.

- Sanjeev K Jha

NEW DELHI: Recently too, chief minister Rekha Gupta announced the strict implementation of this policy from April this year.

While such vehicles are supposed to be sent to only "certified facilities" for scrapping, an unintended but damaging consequence is surfacing in the form of a strategic black market run by scrap mafias, police say.

The illegal activity takes place in two ways: Organised gangs in the guise of scrap dealers either directly lure vehicle owners with quick cash, or exploit the regulatory vacuum around decommissioned vehicles at certified scrapyards.

"Instead of dismantling the vehicles as per pollution control norms, they extract the engines and key components, tamper with identification numbers, and resell them," a police officer said, asking not to be named.

This has led to a crackdown in the recent months. According to police data, 138 complaints of alleged illegal use of ELVs have been registered in 2025 till May 15, while a total of 35 arrests have been made following raids at many locations, including Mayapuri and Seelampur.