Delhi government to crack down on BS-III, older EOL vehicles

New Delhi: Delhi’s transport department is likely to launch a crackdown on end-of-life (ELV) vehicles conforming to BS-III and older emission norms if they are found plying or parked in public places across the city.

The use of ELVs in the capital was prohibited following the National Green Tribunal orders in 2014 and 2015, and subsequent Supreme Court directions in 2018, in view of their contribution to Delhi’s air pollution.

In Aug 2025, the Supreme Court granted interim relief to vehicle owners in Delhi-NCR by staying the blanket ban on 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles, questioning whether age alone was a fair criterion for determining pollution levels. However, in Dec 2025, the court modified its order after a noticeable surge in older vehicles on the roads, restoring enforcement against ELVs that fall below BS-IV emission standards. The court clarified action can now be taken only against vehicles below BS-IV emission standards.In a public notice, the transport department said, “Strict action shall be taken against end-of-life vehicles of BS-III and below emission norms. Owners are advised to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) for transfer outside the NCR. Such vehicles found plying or parked in public places within Delhi shall be impounded and scrapped without further notice, in accordance with law.”A transport department official said vehicle owners must verify their emission norm category. “We are facilitating legal transfer of these vehicles through the mandatory NOC for re-registration outside NCR. But there will be no leniency,” the official added. The timeline for the city-wide drive, however, is yet to be finalised.The warning comes as authorities continue efforts to phase out older, more polluting vehicles from Delhi’s roads. Owners of ELVs caught driving or parking their vehicles in public spaces face fines of ₹10,000 for four-wheelers and ₹5,000 for two-wheelers, in addition to towing and parking charges.Delhi govt issues NOCs to enable transfer and re-registration of ELVs in other states. Such vehicles can be registered in Rajasthan (all districts), 18 districts of Bihar, 26 districts of Maharashtra, 33 districts of Uttar Pradesh, and all districts of West Bengal.