- By Kanika Sachdeva
- Thu, 18 Dec 2025 10:00 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Delhi Pollution: In a significant development, the top court of India has modified its earlier August 12 order, allowing enforcement authorities to take action against those driving diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol units aged over 15 years in Delhi. This comes after the average Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi stayed 'very poor' at 328, prompting the ban on private vehicles with emission standards below BS-IV from entering the national capital and the enforcement of the 'No PUC, No Fuel' rule, effective December 18. This means vehicles with BS-III or lower emission standards can now face regulatory action, including impoundment and fines.
SC Ban on Vehicles Below BS-IV: Quick History
For a quick recap, the Supreme Court, about four months ago, temporarily stayed the implementation of the ban on 'end-of-life' vehicles, while highlighting the need for a comprehensive examination before taking any decision. For those unaware, the restrictions on aged vehicles in Delhi-NCR can be traced back to a 2015 National Green Tribunal (NGT) directive, which was later endorsed by the Supreme Court as a measure to tackle alarming levels of air pollution in Delhi.
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Delhi Pollution: Other Measures in Place
The ban on private vehicles below BS-IV standards coincided with the enforcement of the 'No PUC, No Fuel' rule, under which petrol pumps across Delhi are not supposed to dispense fuel to vehicles without valid PUC (Pollution Under Control) certificates. This enforcement is being carried out using advanced technologies, such as automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras and voice alert systems at petrol pumps, along with support from Delhi Police personnel.
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Moreover, the Transport Department enforcement teams are being stationed at strategic locations, including petrol pumps and border checkpoints, to ensure seamless implementation. Besides, with Grap IV currently in place in Delhi, vehicles carrying construction materials are prohibited from entering the city. Notably, exemptions from the current entry ban on non-compliant BS-VI vehicles include electric vehicles (EVs), CNG-powered vehicles, public transport, and vehicles engaged in transporting essential commodities or delivering critical services.