As Delhi continues to grapple with some of the worst air pollution levels in India, the city’s government has taken a decisive step to curb vehicular emissions by enforcing two key restrictions from the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-4) permanently. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced that vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) will no longer be allowed to refuel in the capital, and non-Bharat Stage VI (BS6) vehicles from outside Delhi will be barred from entering the city.

The announcement marks a significant move in the government’s ongoing fight against air pollution, particularly as the city struggles with the winter smog season. At 6 am on Sunday, the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer app recorded Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) at 391, dangerously close to the “severe” category, which begins at 401. Vehicular emissions are recognized as one of the major contributors to the city’s persistent pollution problem, accounting for a substantial portion of particulate matter and other air contaminants.

PUCC Mandatory for Fueling

The first of the permanent measures under GRAP-4 relates to the mandatory PUCC requirement. Under the new directive, petrol pumps across Delhi will not dispense fuel to vehicles without a valid PUCC, which is issued after a routine emission check at authorised testing centres.

Minister Sirsa emphasised the gravity of the step, stating, “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.”

The PUCC system is designed to monitor vehicle emissions and ensure that cars, two-wheelers, and other vehicles comply with prescribed pollution norms. In effect, it acts as a preventive mechanism to discourage vehicles that are excessively polluting from operating unchecked. Officials stress that a vehicle without a valid PUCC is essentially contributing to Delhi’s pollution problem and that adherence to these norms is crucial for improving air quality.

Ban on Non-BS6 Vehicles from Outside Delhi

The second permanent restriction under GRAP-4 pertains to the ban on non-BS6 vehicles entering the capital. BS6 is the latest Bharat Stage emission standard, which sets legal limits for pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter from vehicles. Vehicles not meeting BS6 standards are considered more polluting and are now restricted from entering Delhi from outside areas.

“Vehicles from outside Delhi that are below Bharat Stage VI (BS6) will also face restrictions on entering Delhi,” Sirsa said. The minister noted that all vehicles sold and registered in India on or after April 1, 2020, comply with BS6 norms, but older vehicles, particularly those coming from neighbouring states, will need to be phased out or upgraded to meet emission standards.

Impact on Delhi Motorists and Fuel Stations

The implementation of these measures has already caused noticeable disruption at petrol stations. When the PUCC enforcement was first rolled out earlier last week, fuel stations across the city reported long queues as staff checked certificates before dispensing fuel. Motorists without valid PUCCs were turned away, causing confusion and, at times, heated exchanges between customers and fuel attendants.

Officials maintain that the drive is essential to ensure compliance with pollution norms, but several motorists have complained that the government’s communication on the rules has been “ambiguous,” leading to initial uncertainty at fuel stations.

Transport department data shows a sharp spike in the number of PUCCs issued following enforcement. On December 17 alone, 29,938 certificates were issued, followed by another 31,974 by 5 pm on December 18. This brought the total number of PUCCs issued over two days to more than 61,000, nearly double the daily average of 16,000–17,000 certificates issued in the preceding week. In some locations, queues for PUCC testing were longer than those for fuel refilling itself, reflecting the high demand and compliance urgency among vehicle owners.

Transporter Concerns and Operational Challenges

While the new rules aim to curb pollution, they have also raised concerns among transporters and fuel station operators. The All India Motor and Goods Transport Association (AIMGTA) highlighted that petrol pump staff were insisting on physical PUCC certificates despite the government’s stated intention to verify compliance through the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system.

At several fuel stations, attendants reported that motorists argued after being denied fuel initially. “They kept asking us to recheck the rules. Eventually, most of them went for the PUC test,” said one attendant at a station on Mathura Road. Such incidents illustrate the challenges of implementing new regulations in a large, urban environment where compliance requires coordination between government authorities, fuel stations, and vehicle owners.

Long-Term Implications for Air Quality

Experts suggest that the permanent enforcement of PUCC and the ban on non-BS6 vehicles could have a meaningful impact on Delhi’s air quality over time. By restricting fuel access for high-emission vehicles and limiting entry for older, more polluting cars from neighbouring states, the measures are expected to reduce particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) concentrations on the roads, which are among the major contributors to the city’s smog and poor air quality.

Furthermore, the initiative underscores a broader shift in urban environmental governance, where regulatory measures are being institutionalized rather than applied temporarily during pollution peaks. By making these restrictions permanent, Delhi is signalling a long-term commitment to sustainable transport and clean air policies.

Public Awareness and Compliance

Authorities emphasise that public awareness and compliance are key to the success of the program. Vehicle owners are encouraged to ensure that their vehicles have valid PUCC certificates and that they understand emission standards applicable to their vehicles. The government is also promoting the use of the ANPR system to streamline enforcement, reducing the need for manual verification and minimizing disputes at fuel stations.

However, compliance is not merely a bureaucratic requirement; it has direct implications for public health. Delhi has consistently ranked among the most polluted capitals in the world, with vehicular emissions accounting for a significant share of harmful pollutants. Permanent restrictions on high-emission vehicles and mandatory emission certification are crucial steps toward mitigating these health risks.

Conclusion

Delhi’s permanent enforcement of two key GRAP-4 measures—mandatory PUCC for all vehicles and the ban on non-BS6 vehicles from entering the city—marks a decisive step in the capital’s fight against air pollution. While the new rules have caused initial disruption and confusion at fuel stations, they represent a long-term commitment to reducing vehicular emissions and improving air quality.

As the city implements these curbs, authorities hope that compliance among vehicle owners will increase, particularly with the growing availability of PUC testing centers and automated verification systems. By institutionalizing these measures, Delhi aims to reduce its reliance on temporary, seasonal restrictions and instead embed a culture of environmental accountability among motorists.

The success of these initiatives will be measured not only by the number of PUCCs issued or non-compliant vehicles kept out of the city but also by the gradual improvement in air quality indices and the health outcomes for millions of residents who are vulnerable to pollution-related ailments. In a city long plagued by smog and vehicular emissions, these permanent curbs may well mark a turning point in Delhi’s quest for cleaner air.