Delhi’s New Fuel Station Surveillance Flags 30 Lakh Vehicles Without PUCC, ₹168 Crore in Penalties Issued

In a sweeping crackdown on vehicular pollution, nearly 30 lakh vehicles in Delhi have been flagged for not having a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC), according to data released by officials on June 20. The figures emerged from a newly deployed Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system, now active at 500 out of 520 fuel stations across the city, under directives from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).

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Of the total 3.6 crore vehicles scanned, 4.9 lakh were identified as overage or End-of-Life (EOL) vehicles, including diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years—a category automatically deemed unfit for operation under current regulations due to their disproportionately high emissions. These EOL vehicles continue to operate despite being legally banned within Delhi’s borders, raising concerns over enforcement and air quality.

Authorities confirmed that the PUCC-related violations have already resulted in the issuance of fines worth ₹168 crore. The fines are part of a broader effort to discourage non-compliant vehicle usage and enforce environmental norms more stringently in the National Capital Region (NCR), a region frequently listed among the most polluted urban zones globally.

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Under current rules, vehicle owners are required to hold a valid PUCC, a document certifying that the vehicle meets emission standards. Repeat violations can result in higher fines, suspension of registration, or even vehicle impoundment.

The large-scale installation of ANPR cameras—which automatically scan license plates to cross-reference compliance with various databases—is a significant technological leap in enforcing vehicular norms. This digital monitoring system allows real-time detection of vehicles lacking necessary documentation, including PUCC and vehicle age-related compliance.

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Officials noted that the remaining 20 stations will complete ANPR integration shortly, further tightening the surveillance net. The cameras are integrated with state vehicle databases and pollution tracking systems, enabling automated flagging and penalisation without the need for manual checks.

For vehicle owners in Delhi, the crackdown signals a shift from periodic, easily circumvented checks to continuous digital enforcement. This will likely increase the pressure on vehicle owners to ensure timely emission checks and dispose of overage vehicles that are no longer road-legal. 

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Consumers must now be more vigilant about maintaining compliance. A valid PUCC, which costs only a nominal amount and takes minutes to obtain, could help vehicle owners avoid heavy fines and possible legal action. For owners of older vehicles, particularly diesel models, this data-driven enforcement also reinforces the urgency of transitioning to newer, cleaner vehicles or scrapping outdated ones.

The development may also have implications for the used car market, particularly for vehicles nearing or exceeding the EOL thresholds. Buyers may increasingly seek vehicles with clear documentation and longer usability, while the demand for scrappage services and replacement vehicles could see an uptick. Moreover, industries such as auto-service centres, PUCC testing kiosks, and scrap vehicle processors may experience a surge in demand as more vehicle owners rush to become compliant or exit old assets.