🔧 477 Fuel Stations Now Equipped with ANPR Tech
Out of Delhi’s 500 fuel refilling stations, 477 are now equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. These systems will scan vehicle number plates to identify whether a vehicle exceeds the allowed age—over 15 years for petrol and 10 years for diesel. The remaining 23 stations will be updated within 10–15 days.
đź“… Rollout Delayed, Now Set for End of April
Originally scheduled for April 1, the policy was postponed due to incomplete installation. However, officials now confirm a full rollout by the end of April. Delhi’s Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa are monitoring the implementation.
đźš« What Happens When You Refuel with an Overage Vehicle?
If a flagged vehicle attempts to refuel, the ANPR system will detect its age and check for a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate. If it fails either check, the system will alert pump staff and refueling will be denied.
đź“Š Why This Matters
Delhi has been battling severe air pollution for years. The policy supports Supreme Court and NGT rulings banning overage vehicles from public roads and aligns with Delhi’s broader efforts to enforce environmental compliance.
đź“‹ Background: Legal Push and End-of-Life Vehicle Rules
- 2014: NGT banned parking of over-15-year-old vehicles in public areas.
- 2018: Supreme Court banned diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol ones older than 15 in Delhi.
- 2024: New rules issued for releasing impounded end-of-life vehicles—must be shifted to private land or registered in another state.
đź“Ť Bottom Line
Once implemented citywide, the ANPR-enabled system is expected to make enforcement uniform and effective—making it nearly impossible for overage and polluting vehicles to refuel in Delhi.
