Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa carried out inspections at several petrol pumps to ensure adherence to the “no fuel without Pollution Certificate” order. Speaking to ANI, he emphasized the urgent need for the entire Delhi-NCR region to unite against rising air pollution. Highlighting the severity of the situation, Sirsa pointed out that the primary goal is to reduce the Air Quality Index (AQI) in both Delhi and the surrounding NCR, particularly as the region faces adverse weather conditions over the next seven days.

Sirsa explained, “I started reviewing petrol pumps from the Delhi-Haryana border. The entire NCR region together will have to fight this pollution. Even the Haryana Traffic Police have set up a check post in their area. The next seven days are expected to see bad weather, but we aim to lower the AQI. This awareness campaign will continue. I have come to know that many private organisations are not following the 50% work from home norm; action will be taken against them.”

As per data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall AQI in the National Capital was recorded at 361 around 1 pm, categorizing it as ‘very poor.’ In response, Transport Enforcement teams have intensified vehicle checks across Delhi as part of measures to curb escalating pollution levels in the NCR.

These actions follow a Supreme Court decision permitting the Delhi government to take strict measures against vehicles operating below the BS IV emission standard within the region. Under the new directives, vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) will be denied fuel at petrol stations, while trucks transporting construction materials into Delhi have been banned to help reduce pollution levels.

The Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, through its Department of Environment and Forests, issued formal directions under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. These directives stipulate that fuel can only be dispensed to vehicles with a valid PUC certificate. Additionally, vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI standards are restricted, and trucks carrying construction materials are prohibited during GRAP Stage IV (Severe+) conditions. Sirsa stressed that this combined effort across government departments, enforcement agencies, and the public is crucial to mitigating Delhi-NCR’s air pollution crisis.