No PUC, No Fuel Rule Enforced in Delhi Policy Amid Severe Air Pollution

New Delhi: The Delhi government on Wednesday enforced the “No Pollution Under Control (PUC), No Fuel” rule across the national capital as air quality continues to remain in the severe category. Under the rule, fuel stations now refuse petrol, diesel and CNG to vehicles that do not carry a valid PUC certificate.

The government introduced the measure under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to reduce vehicular emissions, which authorities identify as a major source of pollution during the winter months.

To ensure strict compliance, petrol pumps have installed automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems and voice alerts, while Delhi Police and transport department officials monitor operations on the ground. Enforcement teams check vehicle details and turn away vehicles that fail to meet emission standards.

Officials said the rule aims to push vehicle owners to follow emission norms and limit the use of highly polluting vehicles. The transport department has advised motorists to renew expired PUC certificates to avoid inconvenience.

Alongside the fuel restriction, authorities have tightened controls on the entry of high-emission vehicles into Delhi and continued the ban on construction and demolition activities that generate dust. Public transport, CNG vehicles, electric vehicles and essential services remain exempt from these curbs.

The Delhi government said it will keep the restrictions in place until air quality shows sustained improvement and urged residents to cooperate by using public transport and following pollution-control guidelines.