New Delhi: Vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control certificate will not be allowed to refuel at petrol pumps across Delhi from December 18, as the government steps up measures to curb air pollution in the national capital. Vehicle owners have been given a one day window to ensure compliance with the mandatory pollution norms.
Under the new system, cameras installed at petrol pumps will automatically identify vehicles that do not have a valid PUC certificate. Such vehicles will be denied fuel without any manual intervention, confrontation, or disruption. The move is intended to ensure smooth enforcement while improving overall compliance.
Authorities have already imposed penalties on more than eight lakh vehicle owners who currently do not possess valid PUC certificates. In addition, only BS VI compliant vehicles from outside Delhi will be permitted to enter the city from Thursday until further notice, tightening restrictions on polluting vehicles.
The government maintained that Delhi’s air quality remained better for nearly eight months in 2025 compared to the same period last year. While pollution levels have worsened recently, officials said the situation is still improved due to sustained efforts over the past ten months.
Several initiatives have been highlighted as part of the pollution control drive. The height of major garbage dumps has been reduced by around 15 metres, while 45 acres of land affected by legacy waste out of 202 acres have been reclaimed and green plantation work has begun. More than 2,000 pollution monitoring units have been installed, and fines amounting to over Rs 9 crore have been collected through enforcement actions.
Pollution hotspots across the city have also been reassessed, with the number increasing from 13 earlier to 62, allowing focused intervention. Cleaner transport remains a priority, with 3,400 electric buses currently in operation and plans underway to deploy 7,500 in total.
Additional steps include stricter action against vehicles carrying construction material, with violators facing heavy penalties and vehicle seizure, as part of a broader strategy to improve Delhi’s air quality.
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