No Fuel for Vehicles Without PUCC from Thursday: Delhi Minister

He added that the government will not allow any polluting vehicle to enter Delhi.

“To control vehicle tailpipe emissions, all petrol, diesel and CNG pump dealers have been instructed to refuel only motor vehicles whose owners have issued valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC),” he added.

He said that once GRAP 4 is implemented, no vehicle carrying construction material will be allowed to enter Delhi.

Sirsa announced that automatic license plate recognition and on-site checks will be carried out to verify the PUCC status and emission category of vehicles, and instructed citizens not to argue with law enforcement at fuel stations and borders if they are found to be non-compliant.

Stressing that the current government has focused on data-driven, scientifically designed interventions to bring down pollution levels, he said that in the last 11 months, eight have recorded better air quality compared to the same months last year. Even in November, when Delhi usually faces severe AQI, the average AQI was around 20 points lower than last year, he said.

“This is the impact of targeted, daily sanctions and long-term structural reforms,” ​​he said.

The minister said the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and district teams are conducting a comprehensive survey of industrial units, including redevelopment and unsuitable areas, which have already been surveyed and 824 such units are facing action.

In addition to actions by other departments, more than 2,000 notices were issued and penalties worth around Rs 9.21 million were imposed on those violating pollution norms.

A comprehensive crackdown on diesel generator sets and polluting businesses is also ongoing. Approximately 3,200 diesel generators have been verified to comply with Commission on Air Quality Management (CAQM) norms; Non-compliant sets will be shut down and face penalties. Around 318 banquet halls in Delhi have been instructed to ensure that their diesel generator sets meet the set standards, failing which they will be sealed.

Emphasizing that the government is focusing on permanently eliminating mountains of old waste, Sirsa said that daily waste processing in Delhi’s three landfills has been increased from about 20,000 metric tons per day to about 35,000 metric tons, in line with the target of completing bio-mining by 2026.

He stated that about 45 acres of the approximately 202 acres covered with mountains of garbage have already been reclaimed and forest plantations have been started on the freed land. He said a dense forest has been developed in about 7 acres.

The minister said 3,427 electric buses are currently operating in the city and the government plans to add 7,000 more by December 2026, which will greatly reduce vehicle emissions.

He also highlighted that more than 8.66 lakh vehicles have been issued challans in Delhi for not having valid PUC certificates, which has significantly increased compliance and awareness among vehicle owners.

Sirsa said a high-level group of scientists chaired by a former environment minister of the Central government has been constituted to provide scientific input on pollution abatement measures and the committee has already held its first meetings.

He said a separate committee of the CAQM was also working to refine and develop the action plan.

To reduce industrial emissions, Online Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) have been installed in 280 industrial units and a clear instruction has been given that no polluting industry in Delhi should be left out of real-time online monitoring.

“Non-compliant units that fail to install OCEMS by the stipulated deadline will face strict sanctions, including closure,” he added.

He said that to curb biomass burning, the government distributed 3,500 electric heaters free of charge to security guards and night workers so that they do not resort to burning wood or burning waste for warmth on winter nights.