Delhi traffic department seizes 213 overage vehicles

Delhi transport department begins fresh crackdown on old vehicles

As winter approaches, Delhi’s transport department has restarted a crackdown on overage vehicles to curb air pollution. The enforcement operation began earlier this week and is expected to last until December. The move is part of the government’s wider strategy to reduce pollution levels in the capital, which tend to spike during the colder months.

Pay attention to overage diesel vehicles and gasoline vehicles

The campaign targets diesel vehicles over 10 years old and gasoline vehicles over 15 years old. The vehicles are part of the city’s efforts to control vehicle emissions, which the government considers to be a major contributor to Delhi’s air quality problems. According to officials, a total of 213 vehicles, including two-wheelers, cars and electric three-wheelers, were seized on the first day of the operation.

Traffic police teams work with the Department of Transportation’s law enforcement agencies and are stationed in different municipal areas across the city. Their goal is to identify vehicles that continue to be operated or parked in public places despite exceeding their legally permitted service life.

Scrapping and relocation options

For owners of this type of vehicle, there are three main options. The first is to park the vehicle in a privately owned space to avoid confiscation. The second option is to apply for a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) to transfer the vehicle out of Delhi, and the owner has one year to complete the transfer process. Finally, owners have the option of scrapping their vehicles through a registered agency.

Vehicles seized in the operation will be sent directly to scrapyards, officials said. This includes not only old diesel and petrol vehicles but also unregistered and substandard e-rickshaws that have been flagged as part of ongoing driving.

Previous crackdowns and long-term effects

This is the second crackdown on overage vehicles in recent years. A similar operation was launched in March last year and lasted for several months, resulting in more than 5.5 million vehicles being written off. Many of these vehicles, despite being deregistered, continue to be driven or parked in public places, necessitating renewed enforcement action.

A senior official from the Department of Transport stressed the importance of the operation and said removing the vehicles was crucial to improving air quality in the city. The department will continue its efforts to ensure that non-compliant vehicles are scrapped or relocated, the official added.

Public reaction and compliance

While the crackdown has the support of environmental groups and residents concerned about air pollution, it has also raised concerns among car owners, especially those who may have difficulty replacing older vehicles. Some car owners have expressed frustration with strict enforcement, citing the cost of new vehicles or the challenge of securing alternative transportation.

Still, officials remain adamant that such action is necessary, citing rising pollution levels in the city. They believe the crackdown is a necessary step to address Delhi’s ongoing battle with air pollution, especially during winter when the city’s air quality typically worsens.

As the action continues, vehicle owners are urged to ensure they abide by the rules and take the necessary steps to avoid penalties. The Transport Department has set up an assistance center to guide vehicle owners in the procedures for obtaining NOC or scrapping services.