NEW DELHI, Dec 18: Delhi saw long queues at petrol pumps and intensified vehicle checks on Thursday as authorities implemented the ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ rule to curb pollution, even as air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category with an AQI of 373. The rule requires vehicles to possess valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates and comply with BS-VI emission standards.
By 5:20 pm, 31,974 PUC certificates had been issued, a sharp increase from the previous day, slowing down the PUC server and causing further queues.
Traffic police and transport teams checked over 6,000 vehicles at city borders, turning back 568 non-compliant vehicles, while 289 vehicles were challaned for BS-VI violations. Since Wednesday, 3,746 vehicles were penalized for lacking valid PUC certificates.
Technical issues, including ANPR camera failures, caused further delays at fuel stations. Petrol sales near border points declined as motorists sought alternatives in neighboring cities. Officials emphasized the collective responsibility to reduce pollution, with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta urging citizens to use public transport and avoid solo trips.
Labour Minister Kapil Mishra directed offices to operate at 50% capacity to reduce vehicular emissions. Political parties traded blame over Delhi’s pollution crisis, with AAP and BJP accusing each other of inaction over the years. (PTI)
