Wed Dec 17 15:10:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article based on the provided text:

Delhi Petrol Pumps See Long Queues as PUC Rule Looms

New Delhi: Delhi’s petrol pumps witnessed long queues on Wednesday as vehicle owners scrambled to obtain Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates ahead of the Delhi government’s new mandate that requires a valid PUC to purchase fuel, effective Thursday.

The order, aimed at curbing air pollution, has prompted a surge in demand for PUC testing. However, the increased volume led to significant delays at testing centers, with some motorists reporting wait times of up to three hours. Server issues at some pumps further exacerbated the situation, causing temporary shutdowns of the testing process and leading to frustration and altercations between vehicle owners and PUC center staff.

“The number of PUC certificates issued [Wednesday] is expected to be several times higher than the daily average,” said a petrol pump owner, estimating the usual daily number of 18,000 certificates issued across Delhi. Similar scenes were reported in areas bordering Delhi, including Ghaziabad, Noida, Gurugram and Faridabad, as vehicle owners sought to comply with the new regulations.

The Delhi government issued the order on Tuesday, stating that petrol pumps would be required to check for valid PUC certificates before dispensing fuel starting Thursday. While petrol pumps will not face penalties for non-compliance, the move is intended to pressure vehicle owners to maintain up-to-date emissions certifications. The transport department estimates that over 3 million vehicles in Delhi are currently operating without a valid PUC. Pump operators themselves estimate that only 25-30 percent of vehicles have up-to-date PUCs.

While some faced long delays due to server outages or employee shortages, others expressed support for the initiative, hoping it would improve air quality.

The increased demand also spilled over into neighboring states. At the Ghaziabad border, testing centers saw traffic nearly double on Wednesday.

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