Delhi has announced that the strict “No PUC, No Fuel” rule will stay in place even after emergency pollution controls under GRAP-IV are relaxed. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa made this statement on Tuesday, underscoring the government’s new long-term focus on clean air.
The rule means vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate will not be allowed to refuel at petrol or diesel pumps in the city. This step came after authorities found that some PUC centres were not working properly or had broken equipment — and these have now been shut down. “If anyone is found violating norms, strict action will be taken,” Sirsa added, showing the government intends to enforce this rule strictly.
Why is Delhi keeping This Rule?
The “No PUC, No Fuel” policy was first introduced on December 18 under the toughest phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-IV) to fight rising air pollution. But even as GRAP-IV curbs are set to relax soon, the rule will not go away.
This is because Delhi’s air quality is still dangerous. On Tuesday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was around 414, which comes under the ‘severe’ category. This makes breathing conditions harmful, especially for children, the elderly, and people with health problems.
The government believes that maintaining strict vehicle checks will reduce emissions and help improve air quality over time.
What’s Happening at Petrol Pumps?
Under this policy:
- Petrol and diesel stations must check if a vehicle has a valid PUC certificate before refuelling.
- Cameras and monitoring systems help track compliance at stations across the city.
- Vehicles without a valid PUC are refused fuel until they obtain a valid certificate.
So far, over 2.12 lakh vehicles have received new PUC certificates in the past few days, and nearly 10,000 vehicles failed emission tests during GRAP-IV enforcement.
Added Push to Fix Water Bodies
Sirsa also said the government will spend ₹100 crore to restore and improve water bodies across Delhi. The idea is that better water infrastructure can help with heat and dust control, both of which contribute to pollution in different ways.
City officials have approved new vehicle emission testing centres too, and more centres are expected to open soon.
Weather and Pollution Still a Problem
Delhi continues to struggle with fog and stagnant air, which traps pollutants close to the ground. This makes the problem worse in the winter months. Meteorologists expect foggy mornings to persist, adding to the pollution challenge.
What Drivers Must Know?
Vehicles must have valid PUC certificates to get fuel in Delhi. Refusing fuel applies to all vehicles inside the city, whether Delhi-registered or from outside. The focus is on slowing down emissions and helping the capital breathe cleaner air.