Delhi-NCR Pollution: Officials conduct Vehicle checks to ensure compliance with new directive
This comes a day after the Supreme Court allowed the Delhi government to take action against owners of vehicles operating below the BS IV emission standard in NCR. Vehicles without valid Pollution Control Certificate (PUCC) will not be fueled at petrol pumps, while trucks carrying construction materials to Delhi will be banned in a bid to reduce pollution levels.
The Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, through the Ministry of Environment and Forests, on Wednesday issued instructions under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, mandating that fuel be dispensed only to vehicles with valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate.
The notification also restricts entry of vehicles registered outside Delhi and below BS-VI standards and prohibits vehicles carrying construction material during GRAP Stage IV (Severe+) conditions.
The entire Union Territory of Delhi has been declared an Air Pollution Control Area under Section 19(1) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
According to a 2015 study at IIT Kanpur on air pollution and greenhouse gases, vehicles account for about 19.7% of PM10 and 25.1% of PM2.5 in winter, and 6.4% of PM10 and 8.5% of PM2.5 in summer. Vehicles are also responsible for 18% of the city’s annual CH4 emissions, 92% of N2O emissions and 30% of CO2 emissions. Building materials account for 3.1% of PM10 and 1.5% of PM2.5 in winter.
The Commission on Air Quality Management (CAQM) has triggered strict control measures by activating GRAP Phase IV (Severe+) from December 13, 2025. As per the new instructions: PUCC Enforcement: All petrol, diesel and CNG retail outlets in the National Capital Region of Delhi will dispense fuel to motor vehicles only on production of a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC). All vehicles collecting petrol from petrol pumps without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate, identified through the ANPR or otherwise, should be penalized accordingly.
Verification of the PUCC may be accomplished through physical certificates, electronic verification systems including ANPR and/or VAHAN, or any other centralized database where appropriate.
Entry Restrictions: All motor vehicles registered outside the National Capital Territory of Delhi and below BS-VI emission standards will not be allowed to operate in Delhi during GRAP Phase IV (severe+) operation, except CNG or Electric powered Vehicles, public transport, vehicles carrying essential goods or providing essential services.
Prohibition of Construction Vehicles: GRAP IV of vehicles carrying sand, aggregate, stone, brick, cement, ready-mixed concrete, rubble or similar construction materials. Entry into Delhi is prohibited during the phase. Violators may be punished or arrested.
The notification also directed Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum, Indraprastha Gas Limited, Reliance Industries, other fuel stations, GNCTD departments, Delhi Municipal Corporation and Delhi Traffic Police to ensure strict compliance.
According to the notification, these orders will automatically come into effect upon the promulgation and activation of GRAP Phase IV (severe+) by the Commission on Air Quality Management (CAQM), as applicable, and will remain in effect until such phase is withdrawn or modified by CAQM. Additionally, upon subsequent announcement or reinstatement of GRAP Phase IV by CAQM, the above-mentioned instructions will automatically come into force without the need for any separate order or notification.
Any breach of these instructions will be punishable under Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 or any other law for the time being in force, as specified in the notice.
