The Delhi government has launched a strict campaign, ‘No PUC, No Fuel’, to combat rising air pollution in the capital. Within the first 24 hours, authorities fined more than 3,700 vehicles and turned back around 570 non-compliant or non-destined vehicles, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Thursday.
Delhi Pollution: Massive Vehicle Checks at City Borders
Joint teams of the Delhi Traffic Police and Transport Department checked approximately 5,000 vehicles at key entry points into the city. Officials said 3,746 vehicles were challaned for not having a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUC). Another 568 vehicles were denied entry at border points.
Additionally, 217 trucks that were not destined for Delhi were diverted to the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways to prevent unnecessary traffic.
Spike in PUC Compliance
The campaign also triggered a surge in PUC applications. Over 61,000 certificates were issued between December 17 and 18, showing that drivers are taking compliance seriously. Sirsa said, “The figures reflect strict enforcement and growing public cooperation.”
He added that turning back vehicles at borders had visibly reduced the inflow of outside vehicles, stressing coordination with neighboring states.
Enforcement Across Toll Plazas and Fuel Stations
Authorities stepped up checks at toll plazas, fuel stations, and city borders to ensure BS-VI compliance. Teams used smartplate-reader devices to verify documents and issue challans efficiently.
Fuel stations refused service to vehicles without valid PUC certificates, creating long queues at several pumps. Petrol pump owners noted a drop in customers due to strict enforcement.
Manual and Electronic Verification
The Delhi Transport Corporation and traffic police conducted manual checks at multiple locations due to camera limitations. Electronic devices were mainly used at border points. Officers reported fewer non-compliant vehicles, attributing this to heightened public awareness.
Broader Pollution Control Strategy
The government said this crackdown is part of a larger plan to reduce Delhi’s air pollution, including steps to control road dust, industrial emissions, and waste management.
Officials warned that enforcement will continue in the coming days and urged vehicle owners to keep their emission certificates updated to avoid penalties or travel disruptions.
