The Uttar Pradesh government has announced that vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) will be prohibited from refuelling at petrol stations in the National Capital Region (NCR) starting on October 1. This policy aims to address the serious issue of air pollution that has been progressively worsening in the region.

This decision was made during a high-level review meeting focused on air quality and pollution control, chaired by Chief Secretary S P Goyal. The state aims to reduce air pollution levels in the NCR by 30 to 35 per cent by 2026, indicating a strong commitment to improving environmental conditions.

The NCR in Uttar Pradesh includes eight districts: Gautam Buddh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Baghpat, and Shamli. Collectively, these areas are a part of the larger Delhi-NCR, which suffers notably from severe air quality issues, particularly during the winter months.

Implementation of Robust Measures

Under the new “No PUCC, No Fuel” initiative, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras are to be installed at 1,041 fuel stations across the mentioned districts. These cameras will help identify vehicles operating without valid pollution certificates, thus enhancing compliance with the new regulations.

In addition, the state government encourages the transition from older, polluting vehicles to cleaner alternatives through its “Naya Safar” initiative, which promotes vehicles compliant with BS-VI standards, as well as compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric vehicles.

Enhancements to Air Quality Monitoring and Infrastructure

The state is also working on enhancing air quality monitoring infrastructure. Out of the 43 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) planned for the Uttar Pradesh NCR region, 25 are already operational. The installation of the remaining 18 is scheduled for completion by October 2026.

Another critical aspect of the air quality control strategy includes monitoring industrial emissions. Authorities have identified 725 polluting industries, with 613 already linked to the Central Pollution Control Board’s server through Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS). The introduction of mandatory air pollution control equipment for 665 industrial units is underway, with installations completed in 179 units to date.

To tackle dust pollution, plans have been set for the redevelopment of 1,792 kilometres of roads in Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida, and Meerut, with an estimated budget of Rs 3,666 crore. So far, redevelopment covering 143.8 kilometres has been completed, and an assessment has been made for the need for 108 mechanised road-sweeping machines, with procurement of 50 additional units already in progress.

In the construction and demolition waste sector, it has been reported that 29 out of the proposed 37 secondary collection centres are already operational, with work on the remaining centres in progress. Modern tracking technologies like GPS and geo-tagging are being introduced to ensure compliance across construction sites.

Further, the state is enhancing municipal solid waste management systems in Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, and Meerut. This includes initiatives for waste-to-energy projects, with Noida developing a torrefied charcoal plant and a biogas project.

Overall, the state’s pollution-control roadmap encompasses several initiatives aimed at improving air quality, including plantation drives, stubble management efforts, and the expansion of electric vehicle infrastructure, as well as enhancing public awareness and connectivity.

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