Delhi Implements Strict PUC Certificate Enforcement: No Fuel Without Valid Pollution Certificate From December 18

Vehicle owners in Delhi have been granted a single day to ensure compliance with PUC regulations.

Starting December 18, vehicles lacking a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate will be prohibited from refueling at Delhi's petrol stations, according to Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa's Tuesday announcement.

The Minister emphasized that vehicle owners have only one day remaining to meet the PUC requirements.

Surveillance cameras installed at petrol stations will automatically detect vehicles without valid PUC certificates, and beginning Thursday, these vehicles will be denied fuel without any confrontation or service disruption, Sirsa explained.

Over 800,000 vehicle owners currently without valid PUC certificates have already faced financial penalties, he added.

The Minister also stated that from Thursday until further notice, only BS-VI compliant vehicles from outside Delhi will be permitted to enter the city.

Criticizing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Sirsa alleged that despite holding power for the past decade, they failed to implement effective pollution control measures and are now blaming the current administration while organizing demonstrations.

According to the Minister, Delhi experienced better air quality for nearly eight months in 2025 compared to the corresponding period last year.

While acknowledging recent deterioration in pollution levels, he maintained that the situation remains superior to last year due to the current government's consistent efforts over the previous ten months.

Highlighting governmental initiatives to reduce pollution, Sirsa noted that actions are being implemented daily. The height of the capital's waste mountains has been reduced by 15 meters; of the 202 acres affected by legacy waste, 45 acres have been cleared and reclaimed with plantation activities commencing there—an accomplishment he described as significant within the past ten months.

Additionally, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee has deployed over 2,000 pollution monitoring systems and collected approximately Rs 9.21 crore in penalties. Enforcement actions are also being conducted by various departments, he stated.

Sirsa mentioned that biomethanation plants contribute to pollution, and the government has provided 10,000 heaters to reduce emissions and ensure cleaner operations.

While the previous administration identified 13 pollution hotspots in 2018, the current government has identified 62 and is actively addressing them. The Air Quality Index readings in these locations were lower this year than in the past decade—except during the Covid period—which represents a notable achievement, the Minister remarked.

Sirsa reported that Delhi currently operates 3,400 electric buses. The government is promoting cleaner public transportation and plans to deploy 7,500 electric buses that would substantially reduce vehicular pollution.

A scientific committee has been established, which has already conducted meetings to recommend effective pollution control measures. The Commission for Air Quality Management has also formed a committee, he added.

Sirsa announced that vehicles transporting construction materials would be banned and strict penalties would be imposed on violators, with offending vehicles subject to being sealed.