Petrol pumps will deny fuel to vehicles without valid PUC certificates year-round, using digital databases for verification.
The Delhi government has begun preparations for the upcoming ‘pollution season’, announcing a series of measures aimed at reducing emissions, dust and vehicular congestion during the critical winter months. Under the new regulations for the 2026-27 winter season, dust-generating construction and demolition activities will be prohibited across Delhi from November 1 to February 28. The government has also announced a 50% work from-home arrangement for employees of government and private offices during the four month period, while parking charges at authorised parking facilities will be doubled. The government has identified the period between December 10 and January 20 as particularly critical for air pollution and will impose additional restrictions during these weeks. The entry of vehicles from outside Delhi carrying construction materials such as sand, gravel and cement will be prohibited during this period.
Apart from this, all private and civil construction and demolition activities that generate dust will remain prohibited from November 1 to February 28. The measure is aimed at limiting one of the major sources of particulate pollution during the winter months. During the more stringent period from December 10 to January 20, restrictions will be tightened further, with external vehicles transporting construction materials barred from entering the national capital. Moreover, the government has also announced that only 50% of employees in Delhi government and private offices will attend workplaces between November 1 and February 28, while the remaining workforce will work from home. The government has also revised office timings to help manage traffic movement during the day. Municipal corporation offices will operate from 8:30 am to 5 pm, while Delhi government offices will function from 10 am to 6:30 pm. To discourage private vehicle use and reduce congestion, parking charges at authorised parking facilities will be doubled during the winter season. Metro parking facilities will be excluded from the revised charges.
The government expects the measures to help reduce vehicular pressure on Delhi’s roads during the period when pollution levels typically rise sharply. Apart from that, the government has also reiterated that vehicles will not be provided fuel at petrol pumps in Delhi without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate. Unlike the seasonal measures, this requirement will remain applicable throughout the year. PUC certificates will be verified through digital databases, including the National Population Register (NPR) and the Vahan portal. Meanwhile, From November 1 to February 28, vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not comply with BS-6 emission standards will not be permitted to enter the national capital. However, CNG, electric and emergency vehicles will be exempt from the restriction. The measures form part of the Delhi government’s preparations to tackle the annual winter deterioration in air quality, when a combination of local emissions, stagnant weather conditions and other factors can contribute to elevated pollution levels
