“15-Year Tax, 10-Year Use?” Delhi’s Diesel Vehicle Ban Sparks Massive Outrage!
Noida: The Delhi government’s strict crackdown on old vehicles has triggered widespread outrage among vehicle owners in the capital. Under the newly enforced rule, diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years are now prohibited from refueling at fuel stations within Delhi.
This move, aimed at reducing alarming pollution levels, is being implemented through Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras installed at petrol pumps, automatically identifying and blocking “end-of-life” vehicles from refueling.
However, the policy has sparked massive criticism online, with many questioning its fairness. Social media is flooded with posts slamming the rule, particularly regarding the discrepancy between the 15-year road tax and the 10-year diesel vehicle limit.
“Why pay 15 years of road tax if diesel vehicles are scrapped after 10?” questioned a user, highlighting the financial burden on vehicle owners.
Another user fumed, saying:
“A 15-year-old car in NCR isn’t even 30% utilized. This rule makes no sense! The government must rethink this policy.”
The root of this backlash lies in India’s vehicle taxation system. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, road tax for private vehicles is typically paid as a one-time fee for 15 years. Post this period, owners can renew the registration by paying additional tax every five years.
But in Delhi, where diesel vehicles face an outright 10-year ban, owners are forced to part with their cars well before the tax-paid duration ends. Many see this as unfair, especially for vehicles that are in excellent condition.
One glaring example is Delhi resident Ritesh Gandotra, who had to sell his 8-year-old diesel Range Rover with only 74,000 km driven, at a heavy financial loss. Gandotra, like many others, believes this policy unfairly punishes responsible car owners while ignoring the vehicle’s actual condition.
While officials argue that the move is vital to tackle pollution, the uproar among owners continues to grow—demanding policy reforms and fair compensation.
