The Delhi government will continue enforcing its ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ policy for vehicles even after the lifting of GRAP-IV restrictions, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, underscoring the government’s intent to maintain strict anti-pollution measures amid deteriorating air quality.

Addressing a press conference, Mr. Sirsa said that vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate will not be allowed to operate in the city, regardless of the relaxation of emergency pollution control curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-IV).

Crackdown on irregular PUC centres

The Minister revealed that 12 PUC certificate-issuing centres were found indulging in irregular practices during recent inspections.

“12 PUC [certificate issuing] centres were found to be doing irregularities. They have been suspended and they will be blacklisted,” Mr. Sirsa said.

He added that the verification drive will be expanded across the city and warned of zero tolerance towards malpractice.

“All PUC centres will be verified like this and no one indulging in irregularities will be spared,” he stated.

The move comes amid concerns that fake or manipulated emission certificates undermine efforts to control vehicular pollution, one of the biggest contributors to Delhi’s poor air quality.

Enforcement to continue beyond GRAP-IV

Mr. Sirsa emphasised that the government’s pollution control strategy will not ease once GRAP-IV measures are withdrawn.

“Strict enforcement of anti-air pollution measures will continue even after the relaxation of GRAP-IV,” he said.

Under the ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ policy, fuel stations are barred from dispensing fuel to vehicles that fail to produce a valid PUC certificate, making compliance mandatory for all vehicle owners in the capital.

Severe air quality persists

According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s overall air quality slipped into the ‘severe’ category on Tuesday.

As per CPCB classification, ‘severe’ air pollution affects healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing diseases, increasing the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular complications.

The worsening air quality has prompted authorities to keep enforcement mechanisms active even as emergency curbs face gradual relaxation.

Focus on water body rejuvenation

In addition to pollution control measures, the Delhi government announced a major environmental initiative focused on urban water bodies.

Mr. Sirsa said the government has proposed allocating ₹100 crore for the rejuvenation of water bodies across the city, noting that Delhi has around 1,000 water bodies requiring restoration.

The initiative is expected to help improve groundwater recharge, biodiversity, and micro-climatic conditions, which environmental experts say can contribute to long-term air quality improvement.

Expansion of emission testing infrastructure

To strengthen compliance and testing capacity, the Minister said the government has approved four new vehicle emission testing centres.

“Permission has also been granted to open additional commercial vehicle testing facilities,” Mr. Sirsa said.

The expansion aims to reduce congestion at existing centres and ensure easier access to emission testing for both private and commercial vehicle owners.

Vehicular pollution under scrutiny

Vehicular emissions remain one of the key sources of air pollution in Delhi, alongside construction dust, industrial emissions, and seasonal factors. Officials believe stricter enforcement of PUC norms will help curb high-polluting vehicles from operating on city roads.

Transport department teams, in coordination with traffic police, are expected to intensify checks at fuel stations and key road corridors in the coming weeks.

Government signals long-term approach

The continuation of the ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ policy beyond GRAP-IV signals a shift towards sustained pollution control rather than short-term emergency responses. Officials said long-term behavioural change among vehicle owners is critical to improving air quality.

Conclusion

With Delhi’s air quality remaining in the ‘severe’ category, the government has made it clear that pollution control measures will not be relaxed lightly. The continuation of the ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ policy, suspension of errant PUC centres, and fresh investment in environmental infrastructure underline the administration’s commitment to tackling pollution on multiple fronts.

As winter conditions persist, residents can expect continued enforcement, tighter checks, and expanded testing infrastructure aimed at reducing emissions and protecting public health.

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