The Delhi government’s ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ campaign to curb air pollution saw over 3,700 vehicles challaned and 568 non-compliant vehicles turned back in the first 24 hours, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said.
Traffic checks and enforcement at city borders
Joint teams of the Delhi Traffic Police and Transport Department checked around 5,000 vehicles at key entry points into the capital on the first day of the crackdown. Of these, 3,746 vehicles were challaned for not carrying valid Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC), while 568 vehicles were denied entry for being non-compliant or non-destined. Additionally, 217 non-destined trucks were diverted via the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways to prevent unnecessary entry into the city.
Surge in PUCC issuance reflects compliance
The enforcement drive coincided with a rise in demand for PUCCs. 61,912 certificates were issued between December 17 and 18, 29,938 on Wednesday, and 31,974 by Thursday evening, showing growing public compliance following the rollout of the rule.
Authorities stepped up checks at Delhi’s borders, toll plazas, and petrol pumps to verify BS-VI compliance and valid PUCCs. Smartplate-reader devices were deployed at major intersections for automated verification, while some checks were conducted manually due to the absence of cameras. At fuel stations, vehicles without valid certificates were denied fuel, causing queues as documents were verified.
Officials emphasize ongoing enforcement
Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the measures were necessary during peak winter pollution and warned that enforcement would continue in the coming days. He also highlighted that several private offices had not yet complied with the 50% work-from-home advisory under GRAP-IV, cautioning that non-compliance could invite action.
