News

The Transport Enforcement Teams inspected vehicles in the National Capital as part of their efforts to reduce air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region which has been increasing.

On the previous day, the Supreme Court had permitted the Delhi government to penalize those owners of cars that are compliant with BS IV emission standard and are still operating in NCR.

In addition, pumps that dispense fuel to cars without valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) have been directed to stop doing so.

The Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, via the Department of Environment and Forests, has directed through Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 that only vehicles with valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates will be allowed to draw fuel.

The notification further stipulates that vehicles that are registered outside Delhi and do not meet BS-VI standards will not be allowed to enter the city, and vehicles transporting construction materials will be prohibited during GRAP Stage IV (Severe+) conditions.

All of Delhi’s Union Territory has been proclaimed an Air Pollution Control Area in accordance with Section 19(1) of the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented GRAP Stage IV (Severe+) starting from December 13, 2025, which results in strict control measures taking place.

The new directives include:

PUCC Enforcement: In the National Capital Territory of Delhi, all fuel retail outlets selling petrol, diesel, and CNG will only dispense fuel to those motor vehicles that can present a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC). Verification of PUCC can be done using physical certificates, ANPR, and/or electronic verification systems like VAHAN or any other centralized database if it is applicable.

Entry Restrictions: All motor vehicles that are registered outside the National Capital Territory of Delhi and do not meet BS-VI emission standards will not be allowed to enter Delhi during the operation of GRAP Stage IV (severe+) except for CNG or Electric-powered vehicles, public transport, and vehicles carrying essential commodities or providing essential services.

Ban on Construction Vehicles: Vehicles that are carrying construction materials, such as sand, aggregates, stone, bricks, cement, ready-mix concrete, and more, are not allowed to enter Delhi during GRAP Stage IV.

The notification went on to order the Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum, Indraprastha Gas Limited, Reliance Industries, other fuel stations, GNCTD departments, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, and Delhi Traffic Police to ensure that the regulations are strictly adhered to, as reported by ANI.

The notification states that these measures will take effect and will be in place until the air quality management authority (CAQM) decides to change the status of GRAP. In addition, if CAQM announces or re-invokes GRAP Stage IV, then the directions mentioned above will automatically be in force without the need for any separate order or notification.

The issuance of any such directions will be under the protection of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, Section 15, and the penalties applicable under any other law that is currently in force.