NEW DELHI: With the July 1 deadline for the ban on refueling end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) fast approaching, petrol pump dealers in the national capital have raised serious concerns over the lack of clarity and support from the government regarding the directive’s implementation.
In a strongly worded letter to the Transport Department, the Delhi Petrol Dealers Association (DPDA) has questioned the absence of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and stated that the burden of enforcement cannot be shifted to fuel station operators.
The dealers argue that while the government’s directive mandates strict action against ELVs, including impounding and disposal, it fails to designate petrol stations as implementing agencies. They point out that the Essential Commodities Act prohibits fuel stations from refusing service to customers.
“It creates a legal contradiction that will put dealers in an impossible position,” said Nischal Singhania, president of the DPDA. In their letter, the dealers expressed growing anxiety over the lack of formal guidelines and institutional support. They warn that without proper enforcement protocols, the ban could lead to confusion and risky confrontations at fuel stations.
“Our pump attendants are not equipped to act as enforcement officers. Over the years, consumers have resisted fuel attendants performing such roles. Recent incidents, including a reported shooting of a pump attendant in Ghaziabad for enforcing the ‘no helmet, no fuel’ policy, highlight the potential for law-and-order issues,” the letter read. The DPDA has called on the government to deploy civil defense or police personnel at petrol stations to handle enforcement and prevent volatile situations with customers.
Further, the dealers pointed out that no formal SOP has been provided.“The provision for penal actions, including the arrest of dealers or pump attendants for non-compliance, is neither practical nor acceptable. Such measures would disrupt essential services and make the scheme unworkable,” the letter stated.