Delhi Fuel Ban Reversed: Pollution Rule That Scrapped Old Cars Now Rolled Back—Here’s What Owners Can Do

Delhi's controversial fuel ban on older diesel vehicles has taken a surprising turn. After months of confusion and public pushback, the government has partially rolled back the strict rule that barred fuel stations from serving diesel vehicles older than 10 years.

Why the Ban Happened

Originally enforced by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2015, the rule aimed to fight Delhi-NCR’s growing air pollution. Diesel vehicles over 10 years old and petrol vehicles over 15 were banned. Fast forward to 2025, the Delhi government tried to tighten the rule by choking fuel supply to these vehicles—but it didn’t go down well.

Public Outcry Changes Everything

The stricter 2025 enforcement led to panic. Many people sold their vehicles in a hurry. Some saw their beloved cars seized. But mounting backlash forced the government to rethink. Result? A partial rollback. Relief for many—but regret for those who gave up their cars too soon.

Can You Get Your Old Car Back?

Yes, but only if it hasn’t been scrapped. The Delhi Transport Department now allows certain vehicle owners to apply for recovery—provided the car clears a few checkpoints.

Here’s How to Check If Your Seized Car Can Be Reclaimed

1. Go online to the Delhi Transport Department or Vahan Portal.
2. Enter your vehicle number and check its status.
3. If it’s listed as seized and parked in a yard (not scrapped or auctioned), you can apply for its release.
4. File a request with the RTO or enforcement office.
5. Pay any parking or yard charges.
6. Get the car tested for fitness and pollution compliance.

If it passes, you could have your old ride back. But don’t celebrate yet—it’s not guaranteed. If your vehicle fails the test, it might still be sent for scrapping.

What If You Sold It in Panic?

There’s still hope. If you sold your vehicle to someone outside Delhi, try tracking it down.

• Check if it was ever scrapped or deregistered.
• If not, you can raise a request to buy it back.
• After that, see if it’s eligible for re-registration in Delhi as per the latest norms.

Delhi's fuel ban U-turn has left the city in mixed emotions. If your vehicle was seized or sold off under pressure, this might be your chance to reclaim it—but act quickly. The window of opportunity is narrow, and not every car will make the cut.