Petrol pumps in Haryana’s National Capital Region (NCR) districts have begun enforcing a “No PUCC, No Fuel” rule under measures aimed at curbing vehicular pollution. From October 1, vehicles are required to have a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) to receive petrol or diesel at fuel stations in the NCR. The measure follows directions issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which requires restrictions on refuelling vehicles without valid PUCCs across the NCR. The directive is part of a wider strategy to control emissions as the region enters the period when air pollution typically becomes a major concern.

In Haryana, the measure covers the state’s NCR districts, with fuel station operators instructed to verify the validity of pollution certificates before dispensing fuel. Authorities have been preparing petrol pumps for the new system by working on technology-based verification and monitoring mechanisms. The Haryana government had earlier announced plans to install Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems at fuel stations across NCR districts to identify vehicles and verify their compliance. The state has also been coordinating with fuel pump operators and other departments to ensure implementation of the pollution-control directions.

The enforcement is particularly significant in Gurugram, one of Haryana’s major NCR cities. The district administration has directed petrol pump operators to check the validity of PUCCs before supplying petrol and diesel. Operators have also been asked to display boards, banners and notices informing motorists about the requirement. Gurugram has hundreds of petrol pumps and CNG stations, making the implementation of the rule dependent on coordination between authorities, fuel retailers and vehicle owners. Local officials have also discussed using surveillance systems at fuel stations to monitor compliance.

Also Read: Delhi-NCR Vehicle Owners Face Fuel Restrictions Without Valid PUC Certificates From October 1

The CAQM’s direction is intended to use fuel access as an enforcement mechanism for vehicle-emission standards. Its statutory direction requires fuel to be dispensed only after production of a valid PUCC from October 1, 2026, across the NCR. The Commission has linked the measure to efforts to control vehicular emissions that contribute to pollutants including PM2.5, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. The requirement applies across the wider NCR, covering Delhi as well as relevant districts in neighbouring states, although the implementation arrangements can vary between jurisdictions.

Haryana is also implementing a separate restriction involving end-of-life vehicles in four major NCR districts — Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat and Jhajjar. The state has been installing ANPR cameras at petrol pumps to identify vehicles that have reached the prescribed end of their permitted life. The first phase involves 775 cameras across the four districts, with the larger plan covering fuel stations across Haryana’s NCR areas. These measures are being implemented alongside the PUCC requirement as part of broader efforts to reduce vehicle-related pollution and strengthen enforcement through automated monitoring.

For motorists in Haryana’s NCR districts, the immediate requirement is to ensure that their vehicle has a valid PUCC before visiting a fuel station. The October 1 rule does not represent a restriction on fuel availability generally; rather, it links refuelling to compliance with pollution certification requirements. Authorities are relying increasingly on ANPR cameras and other verification systems to enforce the rule, although reports from the first days of implementation indicate that infrastructure and enforcement have not been uniform at every station. The measure is expected to remain part of the NCR’s wider air-pollution control framework as authorities prepare for the winter pollution season.

Also Read: October Rule Changes: No PUC, UPI Merchant Fees And New Banking Rules Take Effect