Vapour recovery system at petrol pumps: where it is required

Short answer

A vapour recovery system (VRS) catches petrol vapour that would escape when a tanker unloads (Stage I) or when a vehicle is filled (Stage II). It is not required at every pump: the National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court required it at all pumps in Delhi and NCR CPCB report to NGT, Jan 2021, and CPCB's directions cover other pumps by city size and monthly petrol sale, for example more than 300 KL a month in 46 cities with a million people or more CPCB report to NGT, 13 Aug 2021.

MDG Services makes Dealer Kavach, an app for petrol pump dealers, so this page comes from the maker of a product it may mention. It is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules, fees and guidelines change and differ by oil company and state: every fact here names its source and the date we checked it, so confirm it with the oil company or the authority before you act. We do not sell, allot or arrange dealerships or licences.

Facts checked on 9 November 2026. Published by MDG Services on 9 November 2026.

Petrol gives off vapour. A vapour recovery system catches it instead of letting it into the air. Where it is required depends on the city, the pump's monthly sale and when the pump was built, as on 9 November 2026.

What are Stage I and Stage II?

In plain words, Stage I sends the vapour from the underground tank back into the tanker while it unloads. Stage II catches the vapour at the nozzle while a vehicle's tank is filled.

Where is a vapour recovery system required?

Which pumps	What is required	Source
All pumps in Delhi	Stage I and Stage II devices; time extended on 28 September 2018	Supreme Court order 14 Mar 2023, quoting NGT OA 147 of 2016
All pumps in Delhi and NCR	Directed by the NGT and Supreme Court; CPCB reported Stage IB and II installed at all of them (8 outlets in its table had stopped selling petrol)	CPCB report to NGT, Jan 2021
Existing pumps selling more than 300 KL a month, in 46 cities of a million people or more	CPCB directions of 12 and 22 February 2016	CPCB report to NGT, 13 Aug 2021
Pumps selling more than 100 KL a month in such cities, and more than 300 KL a month in cities of 1 to 10 lakh	CPCB's recommendation to the NGT; revised directions of 18 September 2020 set timelines, revised again in July 2021	CPCB report to NGT, 13 Aug 2021
New pumps	A city above 1 lakh people and sale potential of 300 KL petrol a month; or a city above 10 lakh and 100 KL a month	CPCB new pump guidelines 7 Jan 2020, D.1 and D.2

What must a pump keep in order?

Stage II nozzles need a flexible cover flap or another way to cover the filling tank CPCB new pump guidelines 7 Jan 2020, D.3.
The oil marketing companies are responsible for maintaining installed systems and keeping records CPCB new pump guidelines 7 Jan 2020, D.4.
The dispenser is linked to the system. If it stops, it must be working again within 24 hours, and in any case within 72 hours, or petrol sales stop CPCB new pump guidelines 7 Jan 2020, D.5.

In practice, tell your oil company the day a fault shows.

What is not required everywhere?

The directions and guidelines we opened name pumps by city size, monthly petrol sale and date of building. They do not name every pump in India, so ask your oil company or the State Pollution Control Board whether yours is covered. Newer orders may exist.

Where this comes from

CPCB status report to the NGT, January 2021: Delhi and NCR, other cities.
CPCB action taken report to the NGT, 13 August 2021: the 2016 and 2020 directions.
CPCB reply in NGT case OA 183 of 2024: the 7 January 2020 guidelines and the Supreme Court order.

Questions people ask

01What is a vapour recovery system in a petrol pump?

It is equipment that catches petrol vapour instead of letting it into the air, either as a tanker unloads into the underground tank or at the nozzle while a vehicle is filled. Where it is required depends on the city and the pump's monthly sale.

02Is a vapour recovery system compulsory in every petrol pump?

No. CPCB's directions and guidelines name pumps by city size, monthly petrol sale and date of building, and the Delhi and NCR order covers all pumps there CPCB report to NGT, 13 Aug 2021 CPCB report to NGT, Jan 2021.

03What happens if the VRS at a petrol pump stops working?

CPCB's guidelines for new pumps say it must be back in operation within 24 hours and in any case within 72 hours, or petrol sales stop at that station CPCB new pump guidelines 7 Jan 2020, D.5.

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