Delhi Removes Time Restriction on NOC Applications for Deregistered Vehicles to Reduce Urban Congestion

Delhi authorities have announced this relaxation as part of comprehensive efforts to enhance vehicle management systems. (File)

New Delhi:

The Delhi government has provided significant relief to vehicle owners by eliminating the one-year limitation on No Objection Certificate (NOC) applications for deregistered vehicles.

This policy revision enables owners of diesel vehicles exceeding 10 years and petrol vehicles over 15 years to acquire NOCs without time constraints for re-registration in areas outside the Delhi-NCR region.

The amendment removes a specific provision from the 'Guidelines for Handling End of Life Vehicles in Public Places of Delhi, 2024', which had previously restricted vehicle owners to requesting an NOC only within a one-year period following their registration expiration.

According to official sources, the previous restriction had resulted in numerous vehicles becoming immobilized within the city, unable to be registered elsewhere or properly disposed of. This situation contributed to increased traffic congestion and environmental pollution concerns.

Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh, Delhi Transport Minister, explained that the decision followed a thorough assessment of how the previous regulation was impacting residents and environmental conditions.

"The one-year NOC application deadline was creating an unexpected bottleneck, leaving hundreds of thousands of vehicles stranded throughout Delhi," Dr. Singh stated.

"By eliminating this restriction, we're assisting citizens in responsibly relocating their older vehicles outside Delhi, reducing congestion and enhancing air quality," he added.

The transport department clarified that this policy change aligns with previous directives issued during 2021 and 2022, which were implemented to comply with National Green Tribunal (NGT) requirements for stringent measures addressing vehicular pollution in the capital region.

Officials indicated that the revised policy will simplify the process for vehicle owners to legally transfer deregistered vehicles to states where continued operation remains permissible. This adjustment is also expected to complement the national vehicle scrapping initiative by offering an alternative for individuals wishing to maintain ownership of their older vehicles.

Authorities emphasized that this regulatory relaxation forms part of broader initiatives aimed at optimizing vehicle management throughout Delhi and minimizing the environmental impact of abandoned or immobilized vehicles on city roadways.