New Delhi: It’s the voters who elect MPs and MLAs. And it’s the party with the majority of elected representatives which is thrust the responsibility of ruling the Central and state governments.
Going against the sentiments and wishes of the general public can land governments in trouble.
Just as the current BJP-helmed Delhi government realised the hard way.
Angry protests and public outcry over an order directing fuel to be denied to older cars and two-wheelers has forced the Delhi government has put on hold the controversial policy.
The move was meant specifically for petrol cars older than 15 years and diesel vehicles over 10 years, known as ‘end-of-life’ vehicles (ELVs).
Delhi Environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa told reporters on Thursday that a fuel ban such as this is difficult to enforce due to “technological challenges and complex systems.”
He added that a system to seize poorly-maintained vehicles, instead of punishing people who take care of their cars and motorcycles, is being worked out.
“I am writing to you on behalf of the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi to respectfully request the Commission to place on hold the enforcement of Direction No. 89 dated April 23, 2025, which mandates the denial of fuel to End-of-Life (EOL) vehicles in Delhi. This direction was scheduled to begin on 1st of July 2025 and implementation of this direction has revealed certain issues that must be addressed before these directions are fully implemented,” stated the official letter to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
Had it come into effect this month, the order would have affected over 62 lakh vehicles including cars, two-wheelers, trucks and vintage automobiles. The no-fuel policy was based on data stating suggested vehicles are among Delhi’s top polluters, with over 50 per cent of local pollution coming through vehicles.
ELVs were to have been identified by cameras set up across 498 fuel stations in NCR, linked to a central database that cross-verifies number plates and alerts the fuel operator about ELV status.
The law would have resulted in scrapping of all ELVs.
The ‘no fuel’ order sparked furious reactions among people whose cars and/or bikes are older than the prescribed limit but are still running efficiently and at minimum levels of pollution, and have the government-mandated Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC).
One person took to social media platform X to express frustration that his family’s expensive and well-maintained Mercedes-Benz E280 V6, which is 16 years old, had been reduced to ‘vintage scrap’. He claimed his car produced less pollution than most modern vehicles.
Another person rued he had to sell his luxury SUV, a barely-used (because it was parked up during the pandemic) eight-year-old Range Rover that runs on diesel, due to the ‘end of life’ policy.
The policy, which the government hailed as a ‘green policy’, forces people to buy a new car, which entails a 45 per cent GST + cess, he pointed out.
“This isn’t a green policy. It’s a penalty on responsible ownership and common sense.”
Hundreds of others vented their ire on social media, slamming the BJP government.
