1 lakh PUC applications received in 3 days amid anti-pollution measures

Delhi Transport and Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh on Saturday said more than one lakh vehicle owners applied for Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates in the last three days amid intensified enforcement against polluting vehicles in the national Capital. He stated that enforcement teams issued 1,728 challans on December 17, around 300 on December 18 and nearly 700 on December 19. Vehicles falling under the end-of-life category, as per Supreme Court directions, are being turned back.

Singh said the BJP Government is working on long-term and data-driven solutions to address air pollution in the national Capital, asserting that transport-related emissions contribute around 20-25 per cent to Delhi’s overall pollution.

Singh said that in the last three days, a large number of people have come forward to obtain PUC certificates. Over one lakh people registered for PUC certificates during this period, including more than 40,000 on December 19 alone, he added.

The minister said officials from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and police are deployed at petrol pumps with cameras used to monitor vehicles.

First-time violators are issued warnings, while repeat offenders face challans, he said, adding that ambulances and other essential services are exempt from these penalties.

Addressing a press conference, Singh mentioned the opposition has been repeatedly raising questions on pollution, but the Government is presenting realistic data and taking concrete action.

He alleged that during the previous AAP government’s tenure, policies and implementation failed to deliver meaningful results on pollution control. EV registrations in Delhi have surpassed one lakh since the BJP administration assumed office in February, the minister said.

He claimed that the earlier Government did not release EV subsidies, despite having a provision of around Rs 45 crore, which could have encouraged more people to shift to electric vehicles.