New Delhi: The Delhi government has said it will take strict steps against old vehicles that are no longer allowed to run in the city. These vehicles,
known as end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), will be seized if they are found on the road or even parked in public places. Officials have made it clear that once identified, such vehicles will be sent for scrapping without any separate notice to the owner.
The move is based on existing court orders and pollution control rules. Delhi continues to struggle with poor air quality, and the authorities say removing old and highly polluting vehicles is necessary to control emissions. The Transport Department has issued a public notice explaining how the rules will be enforced.
What is an end-of-life vehicle?
In Delhi, diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years are treated as end-of-life vehicles. Apart from age limits, vehicles that follow BS-III or older emission standards also fall into this category.
Such vehicles are not allowed to operate on Delhi’s roads. The restriction also applies if they are simply parked in public spaces such as markets, roadside areas or other open places accessible to the public. Officials have clarified that the condition of the vehicle does not matter. Even if it is well maintained and used occasionally, it will still be treated as an ELV if it crosses the age or emission limit.
Seizure and scrapping process
According to the Transport Department, enforcement teams will act wherever these vehicles are found. Once detected, they will be impounded and sent directly for scrapping. There will be no individual warning issued before the action.
The department has stated that vehicle owners should not expect relaxation just because their car or bike is rarely used. The rule applies equally to all vehicles that meet the ELV definition.
Option to move vehicles outside NCR
Owners who want to keep their old vehicles have one option. They can apply for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to transfer the vehicle outside the National Capital Region (NCR), where different rules may apply. Without this NOC, the vehicle cannot be legally moved out of Delhi.
The latest action follows earlier court directions and pollution-related orders. With this step, the government is again focusing on removing ageing vehicles from the capital in an effort to cut down emissions and improve air quality.
