S Gopal Puri
DHARAMSHALA:
Planning a road trip to Delhi from Himachal Pradesh or other neighbouring states after December 18? You may want to double-check your vehicle documents before hitting the highway.
With stricter anti-pollution measures kicking in under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi, authorities have tightened entry norms for vehicles entering the national capital — and non-compliance could mean denial of entry or even refusal of fuel.
Here’s what drivers need to watch out for:
Only BS6 vehicles allowed during high GRAP stages
If your vehicle is registered outside Delhi, it must be BS6-compliant to enter the capital while GRAP stages III and IV are in force. Vehicles that do not meet BS6 emission standards will be stopped at entry points, regardless of whether they are private or commercial.
Valid PUC certificate is mandatory
A valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate is now non-negotiable. Vehicles without a valid PUC risk being denied petrol or diesel at fuel stations across Delhi. Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras installed at petrol pumps and checkpoints will identify non-compliant vehicles.
Old vehicles face strict action
Diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years continue to remain banned in Delhi. Such vehicles can be impounded if found entering or operating within the city limits.
Stricter checks at Delhi borders
Enforcement has been stepped up at all major entry points into Delhi, including highways connecting Himachal, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Multiple checkpoints are in place, and vehicles found violating norms may be fined or turned back.
Fuel may be denied inside the city
Even if a vehicle manages to enter the capital, refuelling could be denied if the PUC certificate is invalid or missing. Petrol pumps have been directed to comply with the new norms, though operational clarity is still evolving.
Why these rules matter
The restrictions are part of emergency measures to combat Delhi’s severe winter air pollution, when vehicular emissions significantly worsen air quality. Authorities say the rules may remain in place as long as pollution levels stay in the “very poor” or “severe” categories.
