In a major move to combat the capital’s persistent pollution crisis, Delhi’s Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced on Tuesday that vehicle owners without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) will be denied fuel at petrol pumps starting this Thursday.
The announcement comes as Delhi continues to struggle with “severe” to “very poor” air quality. The government’s decision aims to ensure vehicle compliance, as enforcement data reveals a staggering number of violations. In October alone, 68,986 challans were issued for driving without a valid PUCC, accounting for 23% of all traffic penalties.
AQI Trends and Political Face-off
Minister Sirsa addressed the media regarding the current air quality levels, noting that while the situation remains critical, there has been a slight marginal improvement compared to the previous year.
- Current AQI: The 24-hour average AQI stood at 363 on Tuesday (Very Poor/Severe category).
- Comparison: On the same date last year, the AQI was recorded at 380.
- Weather Impact: Marginal improvements were attributed to increased wind speeds and reduced fog intensity, though a layer of shallow fog still covers the city.
The Minister took the opportunity to criticize the previous administration, stating, “The pollution crisis is a legacy of the last 10 years of the AAP government. It is impossible for any government to reverse this in just a few months, but we are working daily to fix it.”
Enforcement Data: A Growing Concern
The crackdown on non-compliant vehicles has intensified over the last two months:
| Month | PUCC Challans Issued | % of Total Traffic Challans |
| September | 54,615 | 17% |
| October | 68,986 | 23% |
By blocking fuel access to these violators, the government hopes to drastically reduce vehicular emissions, which remain a primary contributor to the city’s toxic haze.