New Delhi – Delhi air pollution reached alarming levels on Thursday despite aggressive enforcement of vehicular restrictions, with the Air Quality Index recording 373 and later spiking to 398 by late evening. The deteriorating air quality, combined with widespread confusion over new regulations, has exposed what critics describe as the futility of reactive pollution control measures that fail to address the root causes of the environmental crisis.
Massive Enforcement Drive Fails to Curb Delhi Air Pollution
Authorities issued approximately 3,746 challans to vehicles lacking valid pollution certificates within just 24 hours, while hundreds of motorists were turned back at border crossings. Despite this extensive crackdown, Delhi air pollution levels remained stubbornly in the hazardous range for the eighth consecutive day, marking the city’s second-worst December pollution since standardized monitoring began in 2015.
The enforcement actions targeted multiple fronts, with the most disruptive measures focusing on vehicular emissions. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa conducted surprise inspections at fuel stations near the Delhi-Gurgaon border and central Delhi areas, overseeing the implementation of the “No PUC, No Fuel” directive alongside a complete ban on all non-Delhi, non-BS-VI emission standard vehicles.
Border Chaos and Commuter Confusion
The widespread disruption affected daily commuters, healthcare workers, and residents navigating life across the sprawling national capital region. At Kalindi Kunj bridge connecting Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, traffic police teams stopped vehicles entering from Noida, checking older models and damaged-looking cars for BS-VI compliance. Approximately 100 vehicles had been turned back by mid-morning at this location alone.
However, enforcement intensity varied across different entry points. At the Badarpur border with Haryana, only two to three cars were turned back during morning hours, indicating either higher compliance rates or reduced traffic volumes. This inconsistent implementation has contributed to the ongoing Delhi air pollution crisis by allowing gaps in the regulatory framework.
Fuel Stations Turn Away Hundreds
Fuel stations across the capital turned away dozens of motorists as the government’s “No PUC, No Fuel” directive took effect. One station reported refusing service to 25 cars and nearly 100 motorcycles on Thursday alone, while another facility recorded 60-70 vehicles daily seeking pollution checks—well above normal volumes.
At the Sarai Kale Khan CNG station, staff wearing placards reading “No PUC, No CNG” meticulously checked pollution documents of vehicles seeking refills. Manpower was increased from 20 to 27 personnel to handle the verification process. The Delhi Petrol Dealers’ Association confirmed that enforcement remained largely peaceful but called for uniform implementation across the national capital region to prevent drivers from simply refueling in neighboring states.
Human Cost of Short-Term Measures
The mounting human cost of these reactive measures became evident through numerous personal accounts. Cary Divelo, a 51-year-old Gurgaon resident, was stopped at Kalindi Kunj with his six-year-old BS-IV vehicle, completely unaware of the new regulations. Dr. Pushkar Verma, returning from Jaipur to his posting at a hospital, was turned back at the Ghazipur border with his 10-year-old BS-IV vehicle, highlighting how Delhi air pollution control measures have disrupted essential services.
Expert Criticism of Reactive Approach
Environmental experts stressed that last-minute measures are inadequate to address the scale of the Delhi air pollution crisis. Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst at Envirocatalysts, emphasized that high pollution levels require drastic steps such as large-scale emission control across all sectors including vehicles, industries, and power plants.
Also Read: Delhi BS-VI Ban: Strict Vehicle Entry Restrictions Enforced
“What is needed in Delhi is consistent large-scale measures throughout the year rather than reducing a few hundred vehicles by checking PUC. Besides, at this time of year, pollution is highly dependent on meteorological factors that can easily negate the impact of any such small steps taken for a few days,” Dahiya explained.
Supreme Court Intervention
The Supreme Court, which has monitored Delhi air pollution for nearly four decades, described the current measures as a “total failure” earlier this week. The court emphasized that sustainable solutions require coordinated action across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan. The next hearing is scheduled for January 6, when authorities are expected to present a revised long-term strategy.
Long-Term Solutions Under Consideration
Minister Sirsa called the initiative a “people’s movement to protect the health of Delhiites,” appealing for citizen compliance with emission norms and work-from-home advisories. The government is exploring longer-term technological interventions, including an algae-based air purification system for crowded areas and GIS tools for integrated pollution planning.
Officials indicated that a carpooling app and AI-enabled upgrades to monitoring systems are under consideration to strengthen enforcement and citizen participation. However, as Delhi air pollution continues unabated, the effectiveness of these proposed measures remains to be seen, with residents demanding comprehensive year-round action rather than seasonal panic responses.
