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10,000 Vehicles Fail Emission Tests to face’ No PUC,No Fuel’ rule: Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa
New Delhi: More than 2.12 lakh Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates have been issued in the past four days following the strict enforcement of GRAP-IV measures in the national capital, even as nearly 10,000 vehicles failed mandatory emission tests, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Monday.
Addressing a press conference, Sirsa said the implementation of the ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ rule has begun showing results, with over two lakh vehicles undergoing emission tests since the curbs came into force. “Nearly 10,000 vehicles have failed the tests, underlining the scale of the pollution problem,” he said.
The minister warned of zero tolerance against polluters, announcing intensified action against industries and private offices violating GRAP-IV norms. He said polluting industrial units would be sealed immediately without notice, while industries failing to apply for mandatory Online Consent Management (OCM) by the December 31 deadline would face strict action.
Sirsa said the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee are jointly identifying illegal and unauthorised industrial units across the city, all of which are liable to be shut down. “Any industry harming Delhi’s air will not be spared,” he asserted.
To strengthen enforcement, Sirsa said all PUC centres are being upgraded with modern, high-capacity equipment to reduce waiting time and ensure accurate testing. A third-party inspection mechanism is also being introduced to enhance transparency, while transport department teams are carrying out continuous monitoring to prevent malpractice.
Highlighting on-ground measures, the minister said round-the-clock mechanical road sweeping and water sprinkling were underway to curb dust pollution. At landfill sites, bio-mining operations are processing nearly 35,000 metric tonnes of legacy waste daily.
He also said the government is making progress in reviving long-vanished and encroached water bodies, with a target to restore at least 50 per cent of them, noting that rejuvenation of water bodies plays a key role in dust control and environmental improvement.
Warning private offices against violating the 50 per cent work-from-home directive under GRAP-IV, Sirsa said strict action would be taken against defaulters, stressing that public health cannot be compromised.
Responding to reports of glitches in ANPR cameras, he said the transport department was examining the issue and blamed shortcomings in implementation by the previous government. He also accused the former dispensation of ignoring Delhi’s pollution crisis.
Sirsa thanked citizens and officials for their cooperation and appealed for continued public participation, reiterating the government’s commitment to making Delhi’s air cleaner and safer.
