The 'No PUCC, No Fuel' campaign launched by the Delhi government to combat the growing air pollution crisis in the national capital has already shown a significant impact on its very first day. Within just 24 hours of initiation, more than 3,700 vehicles were fined in the city, and 568 non-compliant and unauthorized vehicles were turned away at the borders of Delhi.
Additionally, 217 non-destination trucks were redirected to the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways to avoid unnecessary traffic in Delhi. The enforcement led to long queues at PUC centers as fuel pumps denied refueling vehicles without valid certificates.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Thursday highlighted that these statistics not only reflect strict enforcement but also the increasing cooperation of the public. There has been a remarkable surge in the demand for PUCCs, with over 61,000 certificates issued in just one day, evidencing increased public awareness about compliance.
Source: aajtak
Strict Enforcement at Borders and Fuel Stations
Joint teams from the Delhi Traffic Police and the Transport Department conducted rigorous inspection drives at major border points, toll plazas, and fuel stations within the capital. Nearly 5,000 vehicles were checked on the first day. Vehicles without a valid PUCC were fined, with many non-compliant vehicles turned back at the borders.
Fuel stations demonstrated strict compliance as vehicles without valid PUCC were denied fuel, resulting in lines at fuel centers. Petrol pump operators reported a decrease in customer numbers but confirmed full adherence to government mandates. Manual checks were conducted at various locations, while smart plate reader devices and electronic systems were employed at border points.
Inspection by the Environment Minister at Various Sites
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa visited the Delhi-Gurugram border and Janpath petrol stations to review the campaign's implementation. During interactions with staff and drivers, he clearly instructed that no fuel should be provided to any vehicle lacking a valid PUCC. He emphasized the importance of strict yet courteous and sensitive enforcement of regulations.
Sirsa stated, “This campaign is about clean air and public health, not just fines. The public's alignment with government efforts is evidenced by over 60,000 PUCCs issued within a day.”
Source: aajtak
Stringent Monitoring Under GRAP-IV
Dinesh Kumar Gupta, Additional Commissioner of Delhi Traffic Police, advised that with the GRAP-IV orders in effect, all borders of Delhi have staff deployment. He noted that out of 126 borders, 56 come under Zone-2, where additional traffic staff, local police, external forces, and teams from the transport department are stationed.
Gupta shared that, under GRAP-IV, entry is restricted for vehicles below BS-6 registered outside Delhi. So far, 2,743 PUCC-related fines and 287 fines for GRAP-IV violations have been issued. He urged the public to read and comply with all guidelines before entering Delhi to avoid inconvenience and ensure smooth traffic movement.
Fighting Pollution on Four Fronts
The Delhi government emphasizes that combatting air pollution involves more than just vehicle emission control; it tackles four prime fronts: vehicular emissions, road and construction dust, industrial pollution, and waste management. Over the past 24 hours, 2,300 kilometers of roads have been mechanically cleaned, mobile anti-smog guns deployed across 5,524 kilometers, and 132 illegal dumping sites closed. Additionally, 38,019 metric tonnes of legacy waste have been disposed of at landfill sites.
The government clarified that the 'No PUCC, No Fuel' initiative and strict enforcement under GRAP-IV will continue in the coming days. Authorities appealed to vehicle owners to update their PUCCs timely to avoid fines and inconvenience and contribute to the collective effort in cleaning Delhi's air.
