Delhi Air Crackdown: 2.12 Lakh PUCs Issued, 10,000 Vehicles Fail GRAP-IV Emission Tests

Sirsa said the intensified implementation of GRAP-IV restrictions triggered by sustained poor air quality has led to the widespread testing of vehicles across the capital. File Photo.

On Monday, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa informed the media that in a major enforcement drive under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-IV) to combat exacerbating air pollution, more than 2.12 lakh new Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates were issued in the last four days; around 10,000 vehicles also failed mandatory emission tests.

Sirsa said the intensified implementation of GRAP-IV restrictions triggered by sustained poor air quality has led to the widespread testing of vehicles across the capital. He noted that since the “No PUC, No Fuel” rule came into effect, over two lakh vehicles have undergone emission testing, demonstrating the government’s corrective measures to ensure that only compliant vehicles remain on the roads.

According to the minister, despite the high number of certificates issued, Sirsa acknowledged that nearly 10,000 vehicles failed the mandatory emission checks, highlighting the scale of non-compliance and the pollution challenge. These failures are prompting authorities to push for stricter compliance among vehicle owners.

The minister also cautioned about firm action against polluting industrial units and private workplaces that flout GRAP-IV directives, including the work-from-home requirements meant to curb vehicular traffic. He said that enforcement agencies have been directed to identify and seal non-complying industrial units immediately without notice and that industries missing the December 31 deadline to register under the Online Consent Management system will face penalties.

Sirsa outlined broader anti-pollution strategies and said all PUC centres are being upgraded with modern, high-capacity equipment to reduce testing delays and prevent malpractice, supplemented by a third-party inspection mechanism for greater transparency. Continuous mechanical road cleaning and water sprinkling are also underway to control dust, alongside ongoing bio-mining operations at landfill sites to manage legacy waste.

He further appealed to citizens and officials to cooperate, affirming that the government remains committed to cleaning Delhi’s air and safeguarding public health through sustained action.

Source: The Tribune