Delhi will stop supplying fuel to vehicles that do not carry a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) starting December 18, 2025, according to media reports. The announcement was made by Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, with authorities allowing vehicle owners a one-day window to update or renew their certificates before the rule comes into force.
Measure Introduced Amid Worsening Air Quality
The decision has been taken as the national capital continues to face severe air pollution. The restriction has been notified under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which is activated during extreme pollution episodes. Under GRAP-IV, construction activities are halted and the entry of non-Delhi trucks and commercial vehicles is restricted, except for those engaged in essential services.
Fuel Station-Level Enforcement
Compliance will be enforced directly at petrol pumps using camera-based monitoring systems. Vehicles found without a valid or updated PUCC will be denied fuel. Enforcement data suggest significant gaps in compliance, with more than 54,600 challans issued for PUCC violations in September alone, accounting for nearly 17% of total traffic violations recorded by on-ground police personnel.
Additional Anti-Pollution Measures
The Delhi government has stated that parallel actions are being implemented to address pollution. These include reducing landfill heights by approximately 15 metres, reclaiming around 45 acres of land, and installing over 2,000 air quality monitoring devices through the Delhi Pollution Control Committee. Authorities have also identified 13 pollution hotspots for targeted interventions.
Review of Vehicular Emissions
Separately, the Commission for Air Quality Management convened the first meeting of its Expert Committee for Delhi-NCR and adjoining regions. The committee reviewed vehicle-specific emission levels, associated health impacts, and the preparedness of electric vehicle infrastructure as part of a broader assessment of pollution control strategies.
Summary
From December 18, 2025, vehicles without a valid PUCC will be barred from purchasing fuel in Delhi as part of GRAP-IV measures to tackle severe air pollution. Enforcement will be carried out at fuel stations using camera-based systems, alongside wider initiatives such as landfill remediation, expanded pollution monitoring, and a review of vehicular emissions across the Delhi-NCR region.
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