Delhi Air Crisis: No Fuel for Vehicles Without PUC, Old Cars Barred From Entry From Today

The ban on the entry of non-Delhi private vehicles below BS-VI emission standards, along with the enforcement of the ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ rule, came into force in the national capital on Thursday.

As authorities stepped up measures to tackle worsening air pollution amid dense fog across the National Capital Region (NCR). The low visibility has disrupted flight schedules and surface transport operations.

The curbs coincided with the long-awaited discussion on the pollution crisis in the Lok Sabha under Rule 193. The debate is scheduled to feature Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, BJP’s Bansuri Swaraj and Nishikant Dubey, and Samajwadi Party’s Dimple Yadav.

Under the new enforcement mechanism, petrol pumps across Delhi have stopped dispensing fuel to vehicles without valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates. Compliance is being monitored using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, voice-alert systems at fuel stations, and on-ground support from Delhi Police personnel.

Officials said around 580 police personnel have been deployed at 126 checkpoints, including key border entry points, to ensure strict adherence to the restrictions. Transport Department enforcement teams have also been stationed at petrol pumps and border locations to detect violations and initiate action against non-compliant vehicles.

The ban on non-BS-VI vehicles, however, does not apply to CNG- and electric-powered vehicles, public transport, vehicles carrying essential commodities, or those engaged in essential services. Vehicles transporting construction materials have also been barred from entering the city under the stringent GRAP IV restrictions currently in force.

The intensified enforcement comes two days after the Delhi government announced stricter anti-pollution measures, including denial of fuel to vehicles without valid or updated PUC certificates and a ban on the entry of non-Delhi vehicles failing to meet BS-VI norms.

Earlier, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that from December 18, vehicles without valid PUCC would not be supplied fuel at petrol pumps, with compliance tracked through camera-based systems.