After India Today exposé, Delhi govt acts against pollution certificate centres
India Today impact: An investigative report by India Today on the irregularities in Pollution Under Control Certificates has triggered immediate action by the Delhi government.
The Delhi government has launched a sweeping crackdown on Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) centres after an India Today investigation exposed large-scale irregularities in the issuance of pollution certificates across the city and adjoining areas.
Acting on the report, the Rekha Gupta-led Delhi government ordered strict action against errant centres. Transport Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh directed the Transport Department to suspend 28 PUCC centres and blacklist four others. More than 100 polluting buses have been impounded so far as part of the drive.
According to officials, 28 buses were impounded in a single day during the enforcement action. Special drives were conducted in high-traffic zones including Kashmere Gate, Mori Gate and Tis Hazari. The campaign against polluting vehicles and illegal certification centres will continue over the next few days, authorities said.
Among the centres blacklisted is the government-authorised PUCC centre in Gokulpuri, which was directly named in the India Today investigation. Its associated centre in Tikri Kalan has also been blacklisted. A formal complaint has been registered against the Gokulpuri PUCC centre at the local police station following the minister's orders.
FINDINGS AT GOKULPURI PUCC CENTRE
According to the India Today investigation, the Gokulpuri centre was issuing PUCCs without vehicles being physically present. Reporters posing as vehicle owners were assured that pollution checks could be done remotely and that the certificate PDF would be sent within minutes through software.
The operator demanded cash, asked for vehicle numbers and photographs, and promised delivery without any tailpipe emission test. Fresh PUCCs were issued digitally even though the vehicles had not moved, raising serious questions about misuse of authorised systems.
OTHER PUCC KIOSKS FLAGGED IN PROBE
The investigation also highlighted similar practices at other PUCC kiosks in the NCR, particularly in parts of Ghaziabad.
At kiosks near Loni–Bhopura Road, operators allegedly agreed to issue PUCCs for vehicles lying damaged or seized in police malkhanas, based only on WhatsApp photographs or short video clips. In some cases, rates higher than government-notified charges were quoted, described as a “no-vehicle rate”, with assurances that the certificates would still be registered in official databases.
The probe also found instances where PUCCs were issued under another state’s transport authority without any physical inspection, allowing vehicles unfit for the road to obtain seemingly valid emission clearance.
WHY THE ISSUE IS SERIOUS
The PUCC regime is a critical part of vehicle-emission control, especially as Delhi battles severe air pollution. Under Rule 115 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, every vehicle must undergo a pollution test to retain a valid certificate. Issuing false PUCCs can attract charges of cheating and forgery, along with cancellation of licences of authorised centres.
The investigation showed how fabricated certificates allow polluting vehicles, including those otherwise restricted, to continue plying on roads, undermining pollution-control efforts and posing risks to public health.
Following India Today’s investigative report, the Delhi Transport Department lodged a police complaint specifically against the Gokulpuri PUCC centre.