Delhi's Battle Against Air Pollution Intensifies: No Fuel Without Pollution Certificate Mandate Enforced

Delhi's Environment Minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, inspects petrol pumps to enforce the 'no fuel without Pollution Certificate' rule. With Delhi-NCR's air quality plunging to 'very poor,' strategies include restricting non-compliant vehicles, aiming to improve air quality amidst expected bad weather.

On Thursday, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa conducted inspections at multiple petrol stations to ensure adherence to the state's new regulation prohibiting fuel sales without a Pollution Certificate. In an interview with ANI, Sirsa stressed the urgent need for the entire Delhi-NCR area to join forces against the rising air pollution.

Sirsa, who started his inspections from the Delhi-Haryana border, noted that even Haryana's Traffic Police have established checkpoints to support the initiative. Despite forecasts of unfavorable weather for the upcoming week, the minister remains resolute in his commitment to decreasing the Air Quality Index (AQI). He acknowledged that many private organizations have yet to comply with the 50% remote-work mandate, promising potential action against them. The AQI was recorded at 361, classified as 'very poor,' by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Concurrently, Delhi's Transport Enforcement teams have ramped up vehicle checks as part of heightened anti-pollution measures. This follows a Supreme Court decision allowing action against vehicles failing to meet BS IV emission standards in the NCR. Vehicles lacking a Pollution Under Control Certificate will be denied fuel, and trucks carrying construction materials into Delhi are currently banned.

The Delhi government, through its Department of Environment and Forests, has issued directives under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. These stipulate that only vehicles with a valid Pollution Under Control certificate may acquire fuel. Furthermore, the restriction extends to vehicles registered outside Delhi and those below BS-VI emission standards, particularly during GRAP Stage IV (Severe+) conditions.

(With inputs from agencies.)