Delhi is taking a major step to control air pollution. From midnight on Thursday, vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) will not be allowed to refuel at petrol pumps.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsaannounced the decision, saying the government is serious about cutting vehicular emissions, which are a major reason for Delhi’s poor air quality.
With the deadline nearing, many vehicle owners are rushing to renew their PUCCs. The government has asked petrol pump staff to check PUCC validity before filling fuel. Automatic Number Plate Recognition systems and on-ground inspections will be used to confirm PUCC status and emission categories.
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This move is part of Delhi’s wider anti-pollution plan, which also includes restrictions on non-BS-VI vehiclesand promoting electric vehicles. The aim is to bring down pollution levels, especially during the winter months when air quality worsens.
Drivers question impact of the new rule
However, some drivers have criticised the decision. “They keep on spraying water on places, thinking AQI will reduce. If they want to spend so much money, why not spend it on AQI? Last year, the Kejriwal government had put so many filters, air purifiers, where are those? Why was pollution not decreasing then? Doing this, will pollution reduce? Other states do not have this pollution; why has it increased only in Delhi? Every other place also sells petrol,” ANI reported quoting a driver waiting to update his certificate.
Along with tightening PUCC rules, the Delhi government has started rolling out short-term measures to improve air quality in the capital amid public pressure and health concerns.
Plans for traffic, carpooling and waste management
Environment Minister Sirsa said the government will map potholes, launch a carpooling app, introduce an integrated traffic management system and continue efforts to manage solid waste.
“The previous (AQI) data we have, according to that, the days don’t seem to be better compared to last year. The coming week is not expected to be much better seeing the previous (AQI) numbers,” Sirsa said at a press conference.
BJP’s attack on AAP over pollution crisis
Taking aim at the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party(AAP), Sirsa accused it of being responsible for Delhi’s pollution crisis. “Our government has taken multiple measures, we are already working on long-term solutions. This is a sickness given by the AAP after so many years. This is a sickness given by AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal and no one else. They gave this sickness and ran away to Punjab,” ANI quoted Sirsa.
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The minister said the government is tackling pollution on multiple fronts, including vehicle emissions, dust, industrial pollution and solid waste. He also urged people to get their PUCC certificates updated as soon as possible.
“We are processing over 90 per cent of solid waste, over 9,000 metric tonnes are processed every day. For vehicular pollution, certain measures, such as cars, must comply with pollution control norms. From tomorrow, vehicles in Delhi without an updated PUCC certificate will not be able to purchase fuel at stations. I request people to get their Pollution Control Certificate quickly,” he said. |
