Full Breakdown
Haryana NCR Implements “No PUC, No Fuel” Rule
By Drooid · · How we work
Background and Policy Rationale
The Haryana Transport Department issued a directive on October 30, citing the Commission for Air Quality Management’s (CAQM) direction number 101, to enforce a “no PUC, no fuel” rule across the National Capital Region (NCR) of Haryana. The order aims to curb vehicle emissions—particularly PM2.5 and carbon monoxide—ahead of the winter pollution season that typically affects Delhi-NCR.
Implementation Requirements for Fuel Stations
Effective October 1, all petrol, diesel and CNG stations in Haryana-NCR must verify that a vehicle possesses a valid pollution-under-control (PUC) certificate before dispensing fuel. The transport department instructed the state coordinators of Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum to install Automated Number-Plate Recognition (Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)) cameras that will cross-check registration numbers with an online PUC database. Until ANPR systems are fully operational, station staff are required to manually inspect PUC certificates. Fuel pumps must also display prominent bilingual (English-Hindi) signs informing motorists of the new requirement.
Penalties and Enforcement
If a driver cannot produce a valid PUC certificate, the pump must refuse fuel, record the vehicle’s registration number for official purposes, and direct the driver to the nearest authorized PUC testing centre. The transport department order states that operating a vehicle without a valid PUC can attract a fine of up to Rs 10,000 under the Motor Vehicle Rules. Fuel stations have three days to submit an action-taken report; any laxity may trigger strict punitive action, according to the department.
Expected Impact on Air Quality
By preventing untested vehicles from refuelling, the rule is intended to reduce tail-pipe emissions during the high-pollution winter months. Officials anticipate that systematic PUC verification at fuel points will improve compliance with emission standards and contribute to lower ambient pollutant levels across the Delhi-NCR air-shed.