Vehicle owners in Delhi will not be allowed to refuel at petrol pumps from Thursday, December 18, if they do not have a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate. In a significant move to curb worsening air pollution, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Tuesday announced this decision. The move is part of the government’s efforts to combat rising air pollution, as the city continues to experience severe smog with air quality levels ranging from poor to severe, posing serious health risks to residents.
What is PUC Certificate?
A PUC (Pollution Under Control) Certificate is a mandatory document in India that verifies a vehicle’s exhaust emissions are within the permissible limits set by the government. It ensures that the vehicle does not excessively pollute the environment. The PUC Certificate is issued after an emission test at authorised centers. It is required for vehicle registration, insurance renewal, and to avoid hefty fines. This certificate confirms compliance with standards under the Motor Vehicles Act, detailing test results and validity. It is issued for all vehicles including cars, bikes, etc and verifies that emissions like Carbon Monoxide, Hydrocarbons, Nitrogen Oxides meet legal standards.
Check how to get your PUC certificate
A PUC certificate can be obtained by undergoing a mandatory emission test at authorized PUC centers. During the test, sensors measure the vehicle’s exhaust gases and compare them against the prescribed government limits to ensure compliance with environmental standards. The testing centers are often located at petrol pumps, RTO offices, or designated private centers. Vehicle owners are required to bring their registration certificate (RC) and vehicle at the testing center.
The test usually takes a few minutes, and once passed, a PUC certificate is issued as a printed slip or digitally. The testing costs vary between Rs 60 and Rs 100, depending on the vehicle type and fuel. For BS-VI vehicles, the PUC certificate has one year validity, while older vehicles may need renewal every six months. PUC validity can also be checked online on the Parivahan portal using the vehicle number.
