New Delhi– The Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee chief, Shri Devender Yadav, has raised serious concerns regarding the fuel ban on older vehicles, calling it not merely an environmental move but a calculated political strategy involving both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Shri Yadav criticized the Delhi government’s decision to approach the Supreme Court over this issue, labeling it as a tactic to mislead the citizens. He emphasized that the ultimate responsibility lies with the Central Government since the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) was established by the Environment Ministry under Prime Minister Modi’s administration.
Highlighting that the Supreme Court had already upheld the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) order, Shri Yadav stated that revisiting the Supreme Court is a futile exercise that only wastes public resources and raises false expectations. He urged the Modi government to step in directly if genuine relief is to be provided.
“Delhi voters supported Modi ji, yet today, as livelihoods hang in the balance, the Prime Minister remains silent,” Shri Yadav remarked.
He reminded that on April 7, 2015, the NGT banned diesel vehicles over 10 years old and petrol vehicles older than 15 years, a ruling reaffirmed by the Supreme Court on October 29, 2018. Following this, CAQM issued guidelines on April 23, 2025, which were again validated by the Supreme Court in May 2025.
Shri Yadav accused both BJP and AAP of collaborating to enforce this fuel ban, benefiting vehicle manufacturers and dealers at the expense of the public.
He also recalled the active involvement of the AAP government in task force meetings under the Prime Minister’s Office supporting the policy, yet noted their current silence in opposition.
Further, Shri Yadav questioned the installation of ANPR cameras at fuel stations, a suggestion made by the Kejriwal administration. With reports of technical glitches surfacing, he demanded a thorough CBI or judicial investigation to uncover any irregularities in the procurement process.
He strongly condemned those responsible for jeopardizing the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of vehicle owners across Delhi and the NCR region, asserting that these measures target the poor and middle class, while enriching the wealthy.
Shri Yadav pointed out that the Delhi Chief Secretary had requested relief from the CAQM on July 7, 2025, but the commission and central ministries reaffirmed the ban the very next day.
In conclusion, Shri Devender Yadav called on Prime Minister Modi to intervene promptly and safeguard the interests of millions in the NCR by ensuring the government challenges this anti-people fuel ban in the Supreme Court.
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