On Tuesday, the ban on the supply of fuel to old vehicles was set in motion in Delhi amid high security. Automatic Number Plate reader cameras have been installed at nearly 350 petrol pumps for the detection of such vehicles. The Delhi government has installed it in a bid to tackle air pollution.
A detailed deployment plan has been created by the transport department. It involves personnel from its organisation, Delhi Police, Traffic Police and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.
In South Delhi, petrol pumps saw multiple teams of the transport department, the traffic police and the local police. From 6 am onwards, the drive began, fuel sale was prohibited to petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years.
At Chirag Delhi's Dhingra petrol pump, the Transport Enforcement and Delhi Traffic Police teams were seen stationed since early morning.
"We are here from 6 am to ensure that no old vehicle is allowed to refuel. Petrol pumps have been directed to deny fuel to such vehicles," said Sub-Inspector Dharamveer of the Transport Enforcement team.
He said that Artificial Intelligence-powered cameras and automated hooter systems have also been installed at the pump to identify old vehicles. "If any such vehicle arrives, the cameras detect it instantly and trigger a hooter to alert the staff," said Dharamveer, adding that in such cases, the vehicles are being impounded on the spot.
Hriday Ram, a staff member at the Dhingra petrol pump, said, "We have been instructed not to fill fuel in any old vehicle. The moment such a vehicle is detected by the camera or by us, we alert the police or enforcement team immediately."
