The Delhi government will continue enforcing its strict ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ policy even after the current Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-IV) is lifted, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced on Tuesday. The move signals the government’s intent to maintain long-term measures to curb vehicular pollution in the national capital, rather than relying solely on emergency restrictions during peak pollution periods.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Mr. Sirsa said that vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate will not be permitted to operate in the city, irrespective of whether GRAP-IV restrictions remain in force.
“Strict enforcement will continue even after the relaxation of GRAP-IV. Any vehicle without a valid PUC certificate will not be allowed on Delhi roads,” the minister said.
Crackdown on Irregular PUC Centres
Mr. Sirsa also revealed that a recent inspection drive had uncovered serious irregularities at multiple PUC certificate issuing centres across the city. According to the minister, 12 PUC centres were found violating norms and have been suspended with immediate effect.
“These centres were indulging in irregularities. They have been suspended and will be blacklisted,” he said, adding that the government will not tolerate malpractice in pollution monitoring.
The Environment Minister stressed that verification drives would be extended to all PUC centres in Delhi. “Every PUC centre will be verified in a similar manner. Anyone found indulging in wrongdoing will face strict action,” he warned.
Officials say the move is aimed at ensuring that PUC certificates genuinely reflect a vehicle’s emission levels, rather than serving as a routine formality.
Expansion of Emission Testing Infrastructure
To strengthen enforcement and improve compliance, the Delhi government has approved the establishment of four new vehicle emission testing centres. In addition, permission has been granted to open more commercial vehicle testing facilities, which are expected to ease congestion at existing centres and improve monitoring of heavy vehicles.
The expansion comes amid growing concerns that inadequate testing infrastructure has hampered effective enforcement of pollution norms, especially for commercial and freight vehicles.
₹100 Crore for Rejuvenation of Water Bodies
Beyond vehicular pollution, the government is also turning its focus to environmental restoration. Mr. Sirsa announced that the Delhi government has proposed allocating ₹100 crore for the rejuvenation of water bodies across the city.
“Delhi has around 1,000 water bodies that require urgent rejuvenation,” he said, adding that restoring these water bodies would contribute to improving the city’s overall environmental health.
Environmental experts have long argued that neglected lakes, ponds, and wetlands contribute to dust pollution and ecological degradation, especially during dry winter months.
Air Quality Slips Back Into ‘Severe’ Category
The announcement comes as Delhi’s air quality once again deteriorated sharply. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) slipped into the ‘severe’ category on Tuesday.
Under CPCB guidelines, ‘severe’ air pollution can affect even healthy individuals and poses serious risks to people with existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
Despite intermittent improvements in air quality following emergency measures under GRAP-IV, officials have cautioned that unfavourable meteorological conditions and high vehicular emissions continue to push pollution levels upward.
Long-Term Approach to Pollution Control
Mr. Sirsa said the continuation of the ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ policy reflects the government’s shift toward sustained, preventive action rather than short-term crisis management.
“Pollution control cannot be seasonal or temporary. Enforcement must be consistent if we want lasting improvement in Delhi’s air quality,” he said.
With air pollution remaining a persistent challenge for the capital, the government’s decision to retain PUC enforcement beyond GRAP-IV underscores a tougher regulatory stance one that places greater accountability on vehicle owners, testing centres, and enforcement agencies alike.
