Devices Being Tested At Delhi Petrol Pumps For 'No Fuel For Old, Non-PUCC Vehicles' Rule From April 1
If a vehicle fails to meet the regulations, the system, through installed controller devices, will announce it as a defaulter, prompting fuel station staff to refuse service.
Devices designed to identify and report vehicle emission defaulters are in the final stages of testing at fuel stations in Delhi. The system will be fully operational from April 1, when the new rules are implemented. Drivers of older vehicles or those without a valid pollution under control (PUC) certificate will be denied fuel. This initiative was announced by Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa last week.
The new system is being implemented across Delhi’s approximately 500 fuel stations. Cameras equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology have been installed at fuel station entry points. When a vehicle enters for refuelling, the ANPR system checks the registration number against the Vahan database for violations. If a vehicle fails to meet the regulations, the system, through installed controller devices, will announce it as a defaulter, prompting fuel station staff to refuse service.
related stories
“This system was tested at our pump a few weeks ago. We have witnessed its functionality. As soon as the system identifies a defaulter, our staff will deny them fuel. We have received instructions, and the team is in constant contact with us," said Mohan, manager at a fuel station in North Delhi.
The Delhi government initiated a pilot project with two fuel stations in September last year. The cameras used in the pilot successfully identified thousands of vehicles in violation of emission norms. Officials confirm that the ‘no fuel to violators’ rule will now be strictly enforced.
Delhi’s Environment Minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, chaired a high-level meeting with officials a few weeks ago to discuss anti-pollution measures. Following the meeting, the minister announced a series of measures, including the restriction of fuel to vehicles older than 15 years for petrol vehicles and 10 years for diesel vehicles.
According to officials, approximately 60 lakh overage vehicles have been deregistered following directives from the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
- Location :
- First Published: