The “No Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC), No Fuel” rule is set for strict enforcement from October 1 at fuel stations equipped with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras across Delhi-NCR. The measure comes as authorities prepare for the region’s recurring winter pollution challenge, seeking to make vehicle-emission compliance a routine requirement rather than an occasional enforcement exercise.

Delhi-NCR Fuel Rules Enter a New Phase

The latest enforcement follows Direction 101 of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and forms part of Delhi’s Winter Action Plan 2026-27. The policy links access to petrol, diesel and CNG with possession of a valid PUCC, allowing technology to check compliance at the point of refuelling.

In Delhi, the system is being placed in “mission mode” at around 500 fuel stations fitted with ANPR cameras. The cameras can read vehicle registration numbers and match them with the central pollution-certificate database before fuel is dispensed.

The wider winter strategy also includes measures covering:

·       Vehicle and traffic emissions

·       Construction and demolition activity

·       Road dust management

·       Parking and older vehicles

·       Public transport and electric buses

·       Pollution and traffic hotspot inspections

Technology Moves Enforcement to Fuel Stations

Unlike conventional roadside inspections, the new system places compliance at the fuel station itself. A vehicle whose registration details indicate an expired or absent PUCC could be denied fuel.

The approach is designed to encourage motorists to renew certificates before they become non-compliant. Vehicles that have crossed prescribed age limits will also face fuel restrictions under Delhi’s enforcement plan.

The policy is not entirely new. Delhi undertook an awareness and enforcement exercise in October 2025, but implementation was limited in duration and coverage. The October 1 rollout seeks to establish a more regular, technology-driven mechanism.

What Motorists Need to Check

Vehicle owners should verify the validity of their PUCC before visiting fuel stations. If the certificate has expired, it should be renewed through an authorised testing centre.

A valid certificate can also be accessed through the mParivahan application or the official Parivahan portal. Driving without a valid PUCC can separately attract a penalty of up to ₹10,000 under existing provisions, increasing the consequences of non-compliance.

Cleaner Air Needs More Than Certificates

The environmental impact of the rule, however, will depend heavily on the reliability of testing and enforcement. A PUCC measures selected pollutants but does not directly capture every important emission, including particulate matter, particle numbers or nitrogen oxides.

A vehicle could therefore pass a prescribed test while still producing significant real-world emissions because of poor maintenance, ageing components or malfunctioning emission-control systems.

October 1 Deadline Must Become Year-Round Discipline

The “No PUC, No Fuel” system can strengthen compliance by combining regulation with technology, but it cannot by itself resolve Delhi-NCR’s complex pollution problem. Accurate databases, dependable testing, prevention of fraudulent certificates and action against genuinely high-emitting vehicles will determine its effectiveness. Ultimately, the October 1 enforcement drive will matter most if it evolves from a seasonal intervention into sustained, year-round clean-air discipline.

(With agency inputs)