The “no PUC, no fuel” rule has come into force across Delhi-NCR from October 1. Under the new rule, petrol pumps will refuse fuel to vehicles that do not carry a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate.

Enforcement is being supported by automatic number plate recognition cameras installed at fuel stations. These cameras can flag vehicles whose PUC certificates have expired, making it harder to dodge the check.

The rule is aimed at cutting vehicular pollution, one of the biggest contributors to the region’s poor air quality. A large number of vehicles on NCR roads are believed to be running without valid emission certificates.

Vehicle owners have been advised to get their PUC checks done at authorised centres without delay. Officials said the drive will be strict in the initial weeks, and repeat violations could attract fines under the Motor Vehicles Act. Transport department officials said special checking drives will also be held at border entry points to catch vehicles entering the NCR without valid certificates.