Two of the hard GRAP Stage 4 actions have been made permanent fixtures by Delhi to deal with the prevailing winters of severe pollution. These vehicles crash head on to these vehicles in an attempt to cut down on emissions that choke the capital every year.

The Two New Permanent Rules

Firstly, there is no PUCC and no petrol in all petrol pumps across the city.

Before refilling, drivers are expected to produce a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate otherwise they will be given no gas.

This breaks a pattern of the past where lax checks allowed the polluters to prowl until air reached a crisis.

Second, all non-BS6 vehicles will not be allowed to enter Delhi anymore.

Those models that do not meet the Bharat Stage VI standards are blocked at borders regardless of the AQI level.

BS6 reduces the toxic emissions by up to 80 percent compared to the previous standards and this is a game changer in the clean air world.

​Why Now? Winter Smog Crisis

In December, the AQI of Delhi had fallen to below 400 and places such as Anand Vihar and Wazirpur had reached 430+ in the danger category of severe.

The cars emit 40 percent of pollutants; the emergency GRAP proving too sensitive.

These need to be locked in so that enforcement is not limited to panic mode.

Influence on Drivers and Visitors.

Local owners are forced to renew PUCC, otherwise your tank will remain empty.

The fines shoot up shifting emission tests into regular vehicle maintenance.

Those outside of town having pre-BS6 rides replace them with metro, buses, or taxis that are compliant.

Trucks and tourists make a pre-planned trip; any infraction will result in back-turns in checkpoints.

Bigger Picture on Cleaner Air.

These measures are based on the emergency playbook pioneered by GRAP, which has become part of the overall daily rules.

Anticipate easier scans through apps, pumps and borders-tech tracks are more conformable.

In the long-term, they strain upgrades, reducing toxic fumes, and purchasing greener transport transitions time.

This is a real achievement over smog, and critics are demanding more such as EV pushes or stubble solutions.

Delhi breathes easier ahead.