The Delhi government has barred vehicles without a valid pollution under control (PUC) certificate from buying petrol and diesel at fuel stations starting December 18 to curb air pollution. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced this on Tuesday, as the city's air quality index stood at 329 in the 'very poor' category on Wednesday morning. The measure aims to control vehicular emissions, including restrictions on non-BS-VI compliant vehicles from outside Delhi.
Delhi's air pollution crisis persists, with the air quality index (AQI) at 329 in the 'very poor' category on Wednesday morning, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Several areas like Anand Vihar (341), ITO (360), and Wazirpur (360) recorded AQI above 300, shrouded in toxic smog.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced on Tuesday that from December 18 (Thursday), vehicles without a valid pollution under control (PUC) certificate will be denied petrol and diesel at fuel stations. Pumps must verify PUC before dispensing, using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and on-ground checks. Additionally, private vehicles registered outside Delhi that are not BS-VI compliant are banned from entering the city. BS-IV diesel vehicles from Noida, Gurgaon, and similar areas face restrictions, with potential seizure if caught.
Under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles are already banned. The National Green Tribunal's 2015 order prohibits diesel vehicles over 10 years and petrol over 15 years old, upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018, though interim relief was granted earlier this year. Experts note vehicles contribute over 20% to PM2.5 emissions in winter, with 37% of the 2.88 crore vehicles being BS-III or older. Rajeev Mishra stated, 'Studies have shown that vehicles contribute around 40% to Delhi’s PM2.5 load.' Amit Bhatt emphasized the need for a zero-emissions vehicle future.
The government has scaled up legacy waste biomining to 35,000 MT per day at landfill sites, reclaiming 45 acres for plantations. Over 2,000 notices and Rs 9.21 crore in penalties on polluting industries. Online emissions monitoring in 280 units. 3,427 electric buses inducted, targeting 7,500 by December 2026. Actions against diesel generators, with catalytic converters mandated, and 10,000 electric heaters distributed to night guards.
Political tensions peaked: AAP protested outside the Secretariat, banging thalis to 'wake' Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Sirsa apologized to residents, blaming the previous AAP government. BJP accused AAP of hypocrisy. Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged non-implementation of Supreme Court-mandated GRAP measures and AQI data fudging.
