Starting today, Delhi is implementing stricter measures to combat air pollution, focusing on older vehicles and the enforcement of pollution control norms. The new rules include denying fuel to vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate and restricting the entry of older vehicles into the city. These measures were announced by Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, as Delhi continues to struggle with poor air quality.
According to the new regulations, vehicles without a valid PUC certificate will not be allowed to refuel at petrol or diesel pumps. To ensure compliance, enforcement teams, including over 537 police personnel, will be stationed at fuel pumps across Delhi. Authorities will use automatic number plate recognition and on-ground checks to verify the PUC status and emission category of vehicles.
Additionally, only BS-VI (Bharat Stage VI) compliant vehicles from outside Delhi will be permitted to enter the city. Any non-Delhi registered vehicle that does not meet BS-VI emission standards will be seized. This rule primarily targets privately owned vehicles, as restrictions on non-BS-VI commercial vehicles like trucks and buses were already in effect. The Supreme Court has clarified that only vehicles with BS-IV compliant engines and above will be exempted from these actions. This modification follows an earlier order banning 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles.
These restrictions are being implemented under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which includes the most stringent anti-pollution measures. GRAP-IV also entails a ban on construction activities and restrictions on the entry of trucks and commercial vehicles not involved in essential services.
The Delhi government has identified 126 checkpoints, including 13 major ones, across the city to enforce these rules. Transport department teams will be deployed at border points to ensure that only BS-VI private vehicles with a valid pollution certificate enter Delhi from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
In addition to vehicular restrictions, the Delhi government is focusing on other measures to combat pollution. These include overhauling the PUCC system, developing a car-pooling app to reduce congestion, increasing the number of electric buses, and exploring the use of "smog-eating" surfaces. The government has also signed an MoU with IIT Madras to develop these innovative surfaces.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has increased its train frequency to encourage the use of public transport. The government is also working with neighboring states to improve air quality in the region.
