As poor air quality continues to torment Delhi, environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Tuesday said that fuel will be denied to vehicle owners without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate from Thursday onwards.
Sirsa announced these urgent measures to combat Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) levels, which currently stand at 375—under the 'Very Poor' category: a tiny decrease from the 'Severe' category air over the past four days, as per data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
#WATCH | Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa says, "It is impossible for any elected government to reduce AQI in 9-10 months. I apologise for the pollution in Delhi. We are doing better work than the dishonest AAP government, and we have reduced AQI each day. This… pic.twitter.com/hmUoMv57Wf
— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2025
Speaking at a press conference in Delhi, he also said that only vehicles compliant with BS-VI emission standards would be allowed to enter the national capital from Thursday onwards.
Sirsa also promised heavy penalties for trucks carrying construction material.
This comes after the smog in Delhi caused a major accident on the Agra-Delhi Expressway in the early hours of Tuesday. At least 13 people died after seven buses and three cars collided on the highway as the smog had severely reduced visibility in the area.
#WATCH | Mathura, UP | Several buses catch fire on the Delhi-Agra Expressway. Casualties feared. Further details awaited. pic.twitter.com/9J3LVyeR3P
— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2025
Also, at least 228 flights (131 departures and 97 arrivals) were cancelled at the Delhi Airport due to the smog, as of Monday night.
Due to low visibility, 228 flights (131 departures and 97 arrivals) have been cancelled at Delhi Airport so far, and five flights have been diverted: Delhi Airport
— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2025
"I apologise for the pollution in Delhi," Sirsa said at the press conference, adding that it was "impossible for any elected government to reduce AQI in 9-10 months".
He also said that the Delhi government was taking daily actions under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). This included reducing the height of garbage mountains by 15m and cleaning and reclaiming 45 acres of land.
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has also installed more than 2,000 pollution-monitoring plants so far, he said, blaming the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for both the pollution, as well as attempts to divert attention with their pollution protests.
