Delhi Man Says “Forced To Sell Range Rover” at Throwaway Price

Ritesh Gandotra, a resident of Delhi, has voiced his frustration after being compelled to sell his meticulously maintained Range Rover at a throwaway price because of the city’s 10-year diesel vehicle ban. Gandotra’s case has drawn attention as he joins hundreds of other Delhiites in calling for a rethink of the policy, which he says only inconveniences honest, tax-paying citizens rather than truly addressing air pollution concerns.

Gandotra shared his experience on social media on July 1, the very day Delhi’s new rule came into effect, banning the sale of fuel to vehicles that have crossed their legal lifespan—10 years for diesel and 15 years for petrol. He posted a photograph of his Land Rover Range Rover, which is currently in its eighth year. According to Gandotra, the SUV has only clocked 74,000 kilometres on the odometer. He emphasised that the car spent two years parked during the Covid pandemic, meaning it was used even less than most vehicles of its age.

Describing the Range Rover as “meticulously maintained”, Gandotra pointed out, “It easily has over 2 lakh km of life left.” Despite this, he is now being forced to sell the vehicle at a very low price, mainly to buyers outside Delhi NCR, as the local ban has made it impossible to find buyers within the city. “But thanks to the 10-year diesel ban in NCR, I’m now forced to sell it — and that too to buyers outside NCR, offering throwaway prices,” he wrote.

Gandotra criticised the policy, arguing that it unfairly punishes responsible vehicle owners who have kept their cars in excellent condition. “This isn’t green policy. It’s a penalty on responsible ownership and common sense,” he remarked, also highlighting the financial burden of buying a new car, which now comes with a hefty 45% GST and cess.

His post has resonated with many others in Delhi, sparking a wider debate on social media. Several users have called the End of Life Vehicle (ELV) policy a “brutal scam”, especially in a country where the majority of people earn less than ₹25,000 per month. They argue that forcing people to scrap or sell their cars every 10 to 15 years is not only impractical but also financially punishing for the average citizen.

Gandotra’s experience reflects the broader frustration among Delhi vehicle owners, who feel that the policy, while aimed at reducing pollution, fails to consider the ground realities and the genuine plight of responsible car owners.