Delhi witnessed scenes of confusion, long queues, and last-minute compliance on the eve of the enforcement of the government’s stringent ‘No Pollution Under Control (PUC), No Fuel’ policy, aimed at tackling the city’s worsening air pollution.
Official data shows a dramatic surge in demand for PUC certificates just a day before the rule came into force. On December 17, as many as 31,197 PUC certificates were issued across the capital — a sharp 76 per cent jump compared to 17,732 certificates issued on December 16. The spike highlights a frantic rush by vehicle owners to secure compliance and avoid disruption in fuel supply.
Transport department officials said petrol pumps and authorised PUC centres across Delhi remained overcrowded throughout the day, with many motorists admitting they had delayed compliance until the final moment.
Policy Announcement and Rising Anxiety
The policy was announced a week earlier by Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, who declared that from Thursday onward, petrol and diesel would not be dispensed without a valid PUC certificate. While the announcement initially drew a muted response, anxiety escalated sharply as the deadline approached.
By Wednesday, queues stretched outside multiple PUC centres, particularly those located within fuel stations. Several fuel station operators reported that vehicle owners rushed in fearing inconvenience, penalties, and stricter checks once enforcement began.
Break from a Stable Trend
The sudden spike stood out against an otherwise stable trend observed over the previous week. Between December 10 and December 16, daily PUC issuance hovered between 16,000 and 17,700 certificates, indicating no early rush despite the announcement.
The jump of 13,465 certificates within 24 hours placed heavy pressure on PUC centres, fuel dealers, and enforcement agencies, exposing the scale of last-minute compliance behaviour.
Fuel Sales Take a Hit
Interestingly, the rush for PUC certificates also impacted fuel sales within Delhi. According to the Delhi Petrol Dealers Association, petrol and diesel consumption dipped as several motorists opted to refuel in neighbouring cities such as Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad.
Association president Nischal Singhania said many drivers feared that enforcement in Delhi would be stricter and could extend beyond PUC checks. “There is concern that documentation issues might lead to hefty penalties,” he noted.
Sharp Rise in Enforcement and Penalties
Data further reveals a significant intensification of enforcement. In the past two months alone, authorities have issued over 1.56 lakh challans for PUC-related violations, each carrying a fine of ₹10,000.
Over the last three years, such challans have increased more than threefold — from 2.32 lakh in 2023 to 8.22 lakh by December 15, 2025. A large portion of these violations were recorded during the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) between mid-October and mid-December.
A Clear Message from Authorities
Experts believe the ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ policy marks a shift towards behavioural enforcement, linking environmental compliance to everyday necessities. The sudden surge in applications underlines how decisive enforcement can rapidly alter public behaviour.
Authorities will now monitor whether the policy leads to sustained compliance and whether it translates into a measurable reduction in vehicular emissions and improved air quality across the capital.
