New Delhi – The Delhi government has made permanent two key restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-4 to tackle the Capital’s chronic air pollution problem. Announcing the move on Friday, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that petrol will no longer be supplied to vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) and that entry of vehicles from outside Delhi not complying with Bharat Stage VI (BS6) emission standards will also remain restricted indefinitely.

The decision was formalized during a cabinet meeting chaired by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, with the stated aim of institutionalizing measures to curb vehicular emissions, one of the largest contributors to the city’s deteriorating air quality. “From now on, it has been decided that out of the restrictions under GRAP-4, we have made two restrictions permanent. The first one is PUCC. You will not get petrol anywhere without a PUCC certificate until next orders,” Sirsa said, emphasizing the seriousness of enforcing emission compliance.

The second permanent measure prohibits vehicles that do not meet BS6 emission standards from entering Delhi from outside the city. “Vehicles from outside Delhi that are below Bharat Stage VI (BS6) will also face restrictions on entering Delhi,” Sirsa added. Both restrictions will remain in force regardless of the current air quality levels, establishing a long-term regulatory mechanism to reduce pollution caused by vehicular emissions.

Sirsa reiterated the importance of vehicle compliance in protecting Delhi’s air. “A vehicle running without a valid PUC certificate is no less than committing a crime against Delhi’s air,” he said, highlighting the role of enforcement in ensuring public health and environmental safety. The PUCC rule requires vehicle owners to possess a valid certificate indicating that their vehicles meet prescribed emission standards before they can refuel.

The permanent enforcement of these rules comes at a time when Delhi’s air quality continues to fluctuate between ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ categories. On Saturday, the average Air Quality Index (AQI) at 10 pm stood at 391, indicating continued health risks for residents. The situation worsened after the AQI slipped to ‘severe’ levels on December 23, improved briefly to the ‘poor’ category on December 24–25, and again deteriorated on Friday.

According to government officials, the policy is intended as a long-term compliance strategy rather than a temporary response to short-term pollution spikes. By ensuring that only vehicles meeting the required emission standards operate in Delhi, authorities aim to gradually reduce vehicular contribution to air pollution, which remains one of the leading causes of respiratory and cardiovascular health issues in the city.

The permanent PUCC and BS6 rules are expected to impact not only Delhi-registered vehicles but also transport from surrounding states, emphasizing regional coordination in addressing Delhi’s air pollution crisis. Vehicle owners and operators have been urged to comply with these regulations to avoid penalties and fuel restrictions.

The Delhi government’s move reflects an ongoing commitment to proactive environmental governance, with permanent measures under GRAP-4 intended to prevent future air quality crises while encouraging long-term adoption of cleaner vehicles and emission control practices.