No fuel without PUC, old cars barred, WFH: Delhi’s toughest anti-pollution rules kick in

NEW DELHI: As toxic air continues to blanket the capital, Delhi government on Wednesday rolled out a fresh set of stringent anti-pollution measures under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), including a ban on non-BS VI vehicles registered outside the city, denial of fuel to vehicles without valid pollution certificates, and mandatory work-from-home for half the workforce in offices which will come into action from today.

The govt clarified that the restriction on entry of non-BS VI vehicles registered outside Delhi will remain in force only as long as GRAP-IV is in place, modifying an earlier directive that had caused confusion. “If enforced beyond Stage IV, it would have led to massive disruption,” a govt official said.




Key points

• GRAP-IV in force: Most stringent pollution-control stage active across Delhi-NCR
• No PUC, no fuel: Vehicles without valid PUC certificates won’t get fuel
• Non-BS VI vehicles barred: Private vehicles registered outside Delhi below BS-VI not allowed to enter the city during GRAP-IV
• Strict checks: 500+ police personnel, 37 Prakhar vans, 126 checkpoints deployed
• Construction curbs: Construction activity halted; trucks carrying construction material barred
• 50% WFH mandate: Govt and private offices to operate with half staff working from home
• Essential services exempt: Hospitals, utilities, transport, enforcement and disaster services excluded
• Penalties applicable: Violations punishable under the Environment (Protection) Act
• Carpooling push: Delhi govt to launch a city-specific carpooling app
• Worker relief: Rs 10,000 compensation announced for registered construction workers
• Pollution outlook: Severe air quality likely till Dec 27

Under the tightened norms, vehicles without valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates will not be allowed to refuel at petrol pumps from Thursday. To ensure compliance, a policeman and a transport department official will be stationed at each fuel station. Authorities said the focus would be on awareness initially, with drivers being advised to update their PUC certificates.

Delhi Traffic Police have intensified enforcement at city borders and major arterial roads. Over 500 personnel and 37 Prakhar vans have been deployed across 126 checkpoints, including RFID-enabled entry points, to turn back non-compliant vehicles. Officers said e-challan systems will be used to instantly verify a vehicle’s emission norms and registration details.

Construction and demolition activities remain suspended under GRAP-IV, and vehicles carrying construction material have been barred from entering the city. To mitigate the impact on daily-wage workers, the govt announced Rs 10,000 compensation for registered and verified construction workers affected by the halt in work.

In another major move, Delhi govt has mandated 50% work-from-home in all govt and private offices within the NCT from Thursday, with exemptions for essential services such as hospitals, utilities, transport, enforcement and disaster response. However, the order has left many offices grappling with questions on implementation, compliance and monitoring, especially in the private and unorganised sectors.

Environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the measures are aimed at tackling pollution from four major sources — vehicles, industries, dust and solid waste. He announced that the govt will soon launch a Delhi-only carpooling app, use Google Maps data to identify congestion hotspots, and roll out an integrated traffic management system to improve signal coordination and reduce idling time.

Addressing residents and petrol pump owners, Sirsa urged cooperation. “This campaign is not to cause inconvenience but to make Delhi’s air breathable again. Every Delhiite must ensure their vehicle’s PUC is up to date — it’s a collective responsibility,” he said.

Officials said air quality is expected to remain in the severe category till at least December 27, based on past trends, and enforcement of GRAP-IV will continue until pollution levels show sustained improvement.