New Delhi – Delhi has implemented sweeping permanent restrictions aimed at combating the capital’s severe air pollution crisis, making two critical measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-4 indefinite. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced that the PUCC certificate Delhi requirement for fuel purchase and restrictions on non-BS6 vehicles entering the city will remain in force until further orders, marking a significant shift in the city’s pollution control strategy.
Two GRAP-4 Measures Made Permanent
In a landmark policy decision, the Delhi government has transformed temporary pollution control measures into permanent fixtures of the city’s environmental management framework. The announcement by Sirsa represents one of the most aggressive steps taken by any Indian state government to address vehicular pollution through sustained regulatory enforcement.
“From now on, it has been decided that out of the restrictions under GRAP-4, we have made two restrictions permanent,” Sirsa declared on Friday, emphasizing the government’s commitment to long-term air quality improvement rather than reactive seasonal measures.
No Fuel Without Valid PUCC Certificate Delhi
The first and most impactful permanent restriction mandates that petrol will not be provided to any vehicle lacking a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate. This PUCC certificate Delhi requirement effectively makes pollution certification a prerequisite for vehicle operation rather than merely a regulatory compliance matter.
“You will not get petrol anywhere without a PUCC certificate until next orders,” Sirsa stated emphatically, making clear that this represents an indefinite policy rather than a temporary pollution response measure.
The PUCC certificate Delhi mandate was formally notified by the Delhi government earlier in the week following a cabinet meeting chaired by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. This decision makes it compulsory for all vehicle owners operating in the capital to possess and maintain a valid PUCC certificate Delhi documentation at all times.
The enforcement mechanism is straightforward: petrol pump operators across Delhi will be required to verify the PUCC certificate Delhi validity before dispensing fuel. This creates a direct link between emission compliance and vehicle operability, ensuring that non-compliant vehicles cannot function within the city limits.
Non-BS6 Vehicle Entry Restrictions
The second permanent restriction targets vehicles entering Delhi from outside the city that fail to meet Bharat Stage VI emission standards. “Vehicles from outside Delhi that are below Bharat Stage VI (BS6) will also face restrictions on entering Delhi,” Sirsa announced, extending the PUCC certificate Delhi enforcement philosophy to inter-state vehicle movement.
This measure addresses a significant source of Delhi’s pollution: vehicles registered in other states that may not meet the stricter emission standards enforced within the capital. By permanently restricting entry of non-BS6 vehicles, the government aims to prevent older, more polluting vehicles from contributing to Delhi’s air quality problems.
Also Read: Dense Fog in Delhi: Critical Airport Advisory as AQI Reaches Severe Levels
Long-Term Compliance Mechanism
According to government officials, the permanent implementation of the PUCC certificate Delhi requirement and BS6 vehicle restrictions will serve as a long-term compliance mechanism specifically designed to reduce vehicular emissions. Unlike temporary GRAP measures that are activated and deactivated based on air quality levels, these restrictions will remain in force regardless of prevailing pollution conditions.
This approach represents a fundamental policy shift from reactive pollution management to proactive emission control. The PUCC certificate Delhi mandate ensures continuous monitoring and compliance rather than seasonal enforcement during pollution peaks.
Vehicular Emissions as Major Pollution Source
Environment Minister Sirsa emphasized that vehicular emissions rank among the biggest contributors to Delhi’s air pollution crisis, justifying the stringent permanent restrictions. “A vehicle running without a valid PUC certificate is no less than committing a crime against Delhi’s air,” Sirsa stated, framing the PUCC certificate Delhi requirement as a matter of environmental justice.
This characterization elevates the importance of the PUCC certificate Delhi mandate beyond mere regulatory compliance, positioning it as a civic responsibility that vehicle owners owe to fellow residents who must breathe the capital’s air.
Current Air Quality Situation
The announcement comes as Delhi continues to grapple with poor air quality. The city’s air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category for the second consecutive day on Saturday, with the average Air Quality Index reading at 10 pm standing at 391.
Earlier in the week, the AQI had slipped to ‘severe’ levels on Tuesday, December 23, before improving to the ‘poor’ category on Wednesday with an average AQI of 271. However, air quality deteriorated again on Friday, demonstrating the volatile nature of Delhi’s pollution levels and underscoring the need for permanent measures like the PUCC certificate Delhi requirement.
Implementation and Enforcement
The successful implementation of the PUCC certificate Delhi mandate will require coordination between multiple agencies, including petrol pump operators, transport departments, and enforcement authorities. Vehicle owners will need to ensure their PUCC certificate Delhi documentation remains current to avoid fuel access disruptions.
The permanence of these restrictions signals that the Delhi government views pollution control as requiring sustained, year-round effort rather than seasonal interventions. The PUCC certificate Delhi requirement and BS6 vehicle entry restrictions represent the foundation of this long-term strategy to improve air quality and protect public health in the national capital.
