The Delhi government's stringent anti-pollution measures will take effect from Thursday, as the national capital reels under hazardous air conditions.
The authorities have overhauled the Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) system and developed a car-pooling app to ease vehicular congestion as air quality remains in the 'very poor' category.
#WATCH | Delhi | Visuals from the AIIMS area this morning as a layer of toxic smog blankets the city.
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2025
AQI (Air Quality Index) around the area is 273, categorised as 'Poor', as claimed by CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board). pic.twitter.com/8uxACzZMZe
Vehicles without a valid PUCC will not be provided with fuel at petrol pumps from Thursday. Over 537 police personnel have been deployed at fuel pumps across the national capital.
Automatic number plate recognition and on-ground checks will also be conducted to verify PUCC status and emission category of vehicles.
The government has also banned the entry of all private non-Delhi vehicles below BS VI standards, with 126 checkpoints, including 13 major ones, identified across the city.
Enforcement teams will be deployed at border points in Kundi, Rajokri, Tikri, Aya Nagar, Kalindi Kunj, Auchandi, Mandoli, Kapashera and Bajghera toll/ Dwarka Expressway for strict compliance with new directions.
"Our teams will cover every border checkpoint. Only BS VI private vehicles of any state registration with a proper pollution certificate entering from the Uttar Pradesh and Haryana sides will be permitted to enter the capital. Strict action will be taken against anyone found violating the rule," an officer told PTI news agency.
#WATCH | Delhi: Local says, "All cars coming from outside should be stopped. Cars with Haryana numbers and UP numbers are coming into Delhi in large numbers to jam the roads. Due to pollution, we are coughing, and we are even feeling irritation in our eyes..." https://t.co/GJ0KypbzFL pic.twitter.com/NnA8z13maf
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2025
Delhi labour minister Kapil Mishra has directed all government and private institutions to switch to 'work from home' from Thursday. However, the rule carries several exceptions, including those for emergency workers and daily-wage labourers.
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has increased its train frequency following the implementation of GRAP in the national capital.
Meanwhile, a large part of the capital was blanketed by a dense layer of toxic smog, though the air quality showed a slight improvement, dropping to 334 from 354 a day earlier.
