NEW DELHI: The Delhi government is gearing up for a stringent winter pollution-control regime, with a tougher enforcement of the “No PUCC, No Fuel” rule, a complete ban on construction and demolition activities for over a month, checks on end-of-life vehicles and fitness tests for 2.5 lakh vehicles among the measures planned to combat the city’s annual winter air pollution crisis.Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the measures were discussed at a meeting on pollution in Delhi and the National Capital Region chaired by Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav, with chief minister Rekha Gupta, PWD minister Parvesh Verma and other officials participating.Sirsa said the government would intensify enforcement of its “No PUCC, No Fuel” policy, under which vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate would not be allowed to purchase fuel.“The ‘No PUCC, No Fuel’ policy will be intensified,” Sirsa said, adding that a public awareness campaign would be launched in October before stricter enforcement.The government also plans to upgrade Pollution Under Control centres in November to ensure that vehicle owners can obtain the required certificates more efficiently.
Strict action against end-of-life vehicles
The Delhi government is also preparing a major crackdown on end-of-life vehicles during the winter months.Sirsa said a strict drive would be conducted against such vehicles at all 500 petrol pumps in Delhi equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras.The ANPR systems will be used to identify vehicles that have reached the end of their permitted life and strengthen enforcement at fuel stations.The government is also planning fitness checks for around 2.5 lakh vehicles through three Automated Testing Stations as part of the wider enforcement exercise.
Construction and demolition to face complete ban
As per news agency ANI, in one of the toughest measures planned for the peak pollution period, the government will impose a complete ban on construction and demolition activities from December 10 to January 20.The move is aimed at reducing dust and emissions from construction activity during the period when Delhi’s air quality typically deteriorates sharply.The winter action plan will also focus on identifying and addressing pollution hotspots across the capital.Sirsa said the chief minister would personally inspect air pollution and traffic hotspots, while ministers would monitor different sources contributing to pollution during the winter season.
Staggered office timings, vehicle curbs
The government is also considering staggered timings for office-goers as part of its strategy to reduce traffic congestion and emissions during peak hours.The winter action plan includes measures to restrict the entry of polluting vehicles into Delhi, along with efforts to strengthen last-mile connectivity and encourage greater use of public transport.The government has indicated that the approach will focus not only on emergency restrictions when air quality deteriorates but also on preventive action ahead of the winter pollution season.
NCR-wide coordination
Sirsa said the meeting chaired by Yadav focused on coordinated action between Delhi and the NCR, with discussions centred on the respective roles of the capital and neighbouring regions in reducing pollution.He said the meeting involved “action-oriented planning” to determine how pollution could be reduced across the NCR and what measures would be implemented by the respective governments.The measures come ahead of the winter months, when Delhi-NCR traditionally faces a sharp deterioration in air quality due to a combination of local emissions, traffic, construction dust, weather conditions and pollution transported from surrounding areas.With the government planning awareness campaigns in October, PUC-centre upgrades in November and intensified enforcement during the winter, Delhi is preparing for a significantly more stringent pollution-control drive this year.(With agency inputs)
