Uttar Pradesh targets 35% cut in NCR pollution, rolls out tougher vehicle curbs

The Uttar Pradesh government has set an ambitious target of reducing air pollution levels in the National Capital Region (NCR) by 30-35% during 2026, while announcing a series of measures aimed at curbing vehicular emissions and accelerating the transition to cleaner transport.

State Chief Secretary S.P. Goyal said the government would make pollution under control certificates (PUCC) mandatory across NCR districts from October 1 and implement a strict "No PUCC, No Fuel" system, under which vehicles without valid certificates would be denied fuel at filling stations.

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The measures form part of a broader strategy to tackle one of the region's most persistent environmental challenges, with vehicular emissions identified as a major contributor to deteriorating air quality.

The central government is also seeking to encourage fleet modernisation through financial incentives. Earlier, the Union Cabinet approved a two-year scheme to support owners of trucks and buses registered in the Delhi-NCR region that comply with BS-IV or older emission standards to replace them with cleaner BS-VI vehicles or electric vehicles.

The scheme, approved with an outlay of Rs 9,585 crore, is designed to accelerate the retirement of older, more polluting vehicles while promoting the adoption of cleaner technologies.

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The "No PUCC, No Fuel" policy in Uttar Pradesh is expected to increase compliance with emission norms, while the vehicle replacement programme aims to bring a larger share of the commercial fleet in line with the latest environmental standards.

The announcement comes as governments across the NCR continue to grapple with recurring episodes of poor air quality, particularly during the winter months, and face mounting pressure to implement long-term solutions beyond seasonal emergency measures.

With the new target, Uttar Pradesh has signalled its intention to combine regulatory enforcement with cleaner mobility initiatives in a bid to achieve a meaningful improvement in air quality across its NCR districts.