No pollution certificate? You won't be able to buy petrol, diesel in Delhi; check PUC deadline

From October 25, vehicle owners who do not have Pollution Under Control (PUC) will not be buy petrol or diesel in Delhi. In a bid to force vehicle owners to comply with pollution norms, the Delhi government said that residents with a valid Pollution Check Certificate (PUC) only will be allowed to buy petrol and diesel.

“To deal with vehicular emissions, we usually take measures, even in the winter action plan. In addition to this, there is a new development which is still in process. This year, when pollution levels increase in winter, the people will not be able to fill petrol at a pump without valid pollution under control certificate. The government is preparing for this. On March 3, a public notice inviting suggestions on this was invited. On September 29, there was a meeting with the Transport Department, Environment Department and Traffic Police on this,” Delhi’s environment minister Gopal Rai said in a press conference today.

Rai made the decision public in a press conference on Saturday. The decision will be formally notified on Monday, he added.

“The Transport Department will issue a notice on this on Monday. The people will be given time till October 25. From October 25 onwards, the people will not be able to fill petrol and diesel at the petrol pumps without a PUC certificate. The government is preparing for this and a notification will be issued soon,” he added.

Rai also highlighted some measures that the Delhi government plans to take in order to curb pollution in the months ahead. On October 3, the state government will launch a 24X7 war room, which will ensure effective and serious implementation of the amended Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP); an anti-dust campaign on October 6, wherein inspections will be conducted at construction sites to check dust pollution; and a programme, offering road tax concession to vehicle owners who scrap their old vehicles before buying new ones.

The AAP government has approved the scheme on Friday and sent the proposal to the Lieutenant Governor for final assent, the minister added.