Delhi’s pollution crisis is real, but the solution cannot be to punish the middle class for problems they didn’t create. It’s time for the government to rethink its approach and focus on systemic, long-term solutions that don’t come at the cost of people’s livelihoods and dignity.

The Delhi government’s decision to ban refueling of vehicles older than 15 years, effective April 1, 2025, has left many residents questioning the timing and fairness of the move. While the initiative aims to curb air pollution, it raises a critical question: Why wasn’t this communicated 15 years ago when people purchased their vehicles?

The policy, which will be enforced using automatic number plate readers at petrol pumps, aligns with existing regulations that restrict older vehicles from plying on Delhi roads. However, the sudden enforcement feels like a slap in the face to vehicle owners who were never warned about such a lifespan limit when they invested in their cars.

Delhi’s air pollution crisis is undeniably severe, but much of the problem stems from systemic issues like hyper-concentration of population and economic activity in a few cities. The lack of decentralized Special Economic Zones (SEZs) across the nation has forced millions to flock to cities like Delhi-NCR, leading to overcrowding, inflated living costs, and environmental degradation. Fix this, and you fix the root cause of hyper-concentration, reducing pressure on cities like Delhi and creating a more balanced, sustainable GDP growth model.

Moreover, the policy to scrap 15-year-old vehicles, even if they are in good condition and comply with BS4 emission norms, seems extreme. Not everyone can afford to buy a new car, and for many, their vehicles hold sentimental value. Forcing people to abandon their cars feels like an authoritarian move, akin to towing away a part of their lives.

While cleaner air is a noble goal, the government must consider the economic and emotional impact on citizens. A more balanced approach, such as incentivizing upgrades or improving public transportation, would be far more effective than a blanket ban that feels both forceful and nonsensical.

Delhi’s problems need long-term, systemic solutions, not knee-jerk reactions that burden the common man. It’s time to rethink policies that penalize citizens for problems they didn’t create.

Instead of slapping the middle class with such harsh measures, the government should have focused on designing better mobility solutions. Take the Gurugram-Delhi highway, for instance. It’s infested with massive traffic jams daily, with an average of just 1.5 people per car. This is a clear indication of how poorly planned urban mobility is in the region.

Had the government invested in efficient, affordable, and reliable public transport systems, the need for personal vehicles would have reduced significantly. But instead of improving buses, metros, and last-mile connectivity, the focus remains on penalizing car owners. Why? Because improving public transport would mean less revenue from petrol taxes—a clear conflict of interest that prioritizes government coffers over public welfare.

The middle class is constantly burdened with stricter norms and regulations. The government mandates auto manufacturers to include two airbags in cars but turns a blind eye to pothole-ridden roads that make driving unsafe. It forces people to scrap their cars but does little to address the root causes of pollution, such as industrial emissions, construction dust, and crop burning.

Why should the middle class bear the entire burden of solving Delhi’s pollution crisis? Why isn’t there a concerted effort to hold industries accountable or to decentralize economic activity to reduce the population pressure on cities like Delhi?