Amid rising pollution levels in the national capital, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa today (December 16) announced that vehicle without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate will not be allowed to refuel at petrol pumps in Delhi starting Thursday (December 18).
Addressing the media, Sirsa said vehicle owners have been given a one-day window to comply with the new rule. "After tomorrow, vehicles that do not have a valid PUC certificate will not be provided fuel," he said, adding that the move is part of stricter measures to curb air pollution in the national capital.
Only BS-VI compliant vehicles allowed
The Environment Minister said that from Thursday, only BS-VI compliant vehicles from outside Delhi will be allowed to enter the national capital. He further said that heavy penalties to be imposed on trucks carrying construction material and vehicles will be seized.
Notably, the national capital's air quality saw some improvement on Tuesday morning, with an AQI of 377 as against 498 a day ago, even as smog blanketed the city, shivering at 8.3 degrees Celsius during the morning hours, reducing visibility.
Delhi's air quality remained better
The minister claimed that Delhi's air quality had remained better for nearly eight months this year compared to the same period last year. While acknowledging a recent deterioration in pollution levels, he said the situation was still an improvement over last year due to sustained efforts by the present government over the past ten months.
Targeting the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Sirsa alleged that after "distorting Delhi," it is was now attempting to divert attention by staging protests on pollution. He questioned what concrete steps AAP had taken to address air pollution during its tenure.
Highlighting ongoing initiatives, Sirsa said the government was taking daily measures to tackle pollution. These include reducing the height of garbage mountains by 15 metres, cleaning and reclaiming 45 acres of land, and installing over 2,000 pollution-monitoring plants through the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).
13 pollution hotspots identified
Sirsa added that biomethanation plants contribute to pollution, and the government has provided heaters to reduce emissions and ensure cleaner operations. Strict enforcement has been initiated against polluting vehicles, with challans being issued for PUC violations.
The minister said 13 pollution hotspots have been identified across the city and concerned agencies have been roped in to address them. According to him, Air Quality Index (AQI) levels at these locations are lower this year than in the past decade, barring the Covid period, which he described as a significant achievement.
Sirsa further said the government is pushing for cleaner public transport and plans to deploy 7,500 electric buses in Delhi, a move expected to substantially reduce vehicular emissions. He added that a scientific committee has been constituted and has already held meetings to recommend effective pollution-control measures.
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