Delhi collected Rs 68.4 lakh in fines on the first day of its Winter Action Plan. Over 1,500 vehicles were turned back and 32 construction sites found violating pollution norms.
Delhi authorities collected penalties and environmental compensation worth Rs 68.4 lakh on the first day of the Delhi Winter Action Plan enforcement drive. As part of the campaign to control rising air pollution during the winter season, officials checked nearly 15,000 vehicles, turned back 1,539 at border points and issued 566 challans for violations related to Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC).
According to official data available until 5 pm on Sunday, Rs 56.6 lakh was collected through challans for vehicles operating without valid pollution certificates. Another Rs 2 lakh was imposed for violating vehicle entry restrictions, while construction sites violating dust control regulations faced environmental compensation of Rs 9.8 lakh.
The enforcement campaign covered vehicle entry rules, pollution certificate compliance and dust control measures at construction and demolition sites.
Nearly 15,000 Vehicles Checked, 1,539 Denied Entry
On the first day of the Delhi Winter Action Plan, the Delhi Traffic Police and Transport Department inspected 14,930 vehicles at various border points. Of these, 1,539 vehicles, accounting for approximately 10.31 per cent of the total checked, were sent back.
Authorities issued 127 challans and impounded 62 vehicles for violations of entry restrictions. The Delhi Traffic Police collected Rs 2 lakh in penalties under this category.
Among the vehicles turned away were 140 light motor vehicles (LMVs), 54 light commercial vehicles (LCVs), 95 heavy goods vehicles and 34 buses.
Officials also checked 1,423 two-wheelers, three-wheelers and other vehicles. Of these, 789 were turned back and 38 were impounded.
A separate inspection of 7,279 non-destined vehicles resulted in 314 vehicles being turned back. No challans were issued in this category.
Vehicles running on CNG, electric vehicles and those involved in essential services were exempted from the restrictions. Officials verified 740 such vehicles and permitted them to enter Delhi.
566 Challans Issued for Invalid Pollution Certificates
The authorities also conducted a special drive against vehicles operating without valid Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCCs).
A total of 566 challans were issued, resulting in penalties worth Rs 56.6 lakh. The Delhi Traffic Police accounted for 493 challans amounting to Rs 49.3 lakh, while the Transport Department issued 73 challans worth Rs 7.3 lakh.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said enforcement teams were monitoring compliance with vehicle entry restrictions, PUCC requirements and dust control regulations.
In a post on X, Sirsa said that 14,930 vehicles had been checked, 566 pollution certificate challans issued and 300 construction sites inspected on the first day. He urged people to keep their pollution certificates valid and follow vehicle entry and dust control rules.
The campaign under the Delhi Winter Action Plan also focused on reducing dust pollution from construction and demolition activities.
Officials inspected 300 construction and demolition sites, out of which 32 were found violating prescribed dust control norms. Environmental compensation amounting to Rs 9.8 lakh was imposed on the violators.
Of the 91 large construction sites inspected, each having a plot area above 500 square metres, 16 were found violating the regulations. Authorities issued two closure directions and four show-cause notices in this category, along with environmental compensation of Rs 4 lakh.
Among 209 smaller construction sites, 17 were found violating dust control requirements. These sites received 15 closure directions and 15 show-cause notices. Environmental compensation of Rs 5.8 lakh was also imposed.
Overall, authorities issued 17 closure directions and 19 show-cause notices across the inspected locations. No dust control violations were reported at exempted infrastructure projects.
Delhi Winter Action Plan: Restrictions to Continue Until February 28
The restrictions introduced under the Delhi Winter Action Plan will remain in force for different periods between November 1 and February 28 to tackle seasonal air pollution.
Key restrictions include:
– Non-BS-VI vehicles: Vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI emission standards are prohibited from entering the national capital until January 31.
– Construction activities: Dust-generating demolition and outdoor civil construction activities have been prohibited, with exemptions for specified essential public infrastructure projects.
– Construction ban: A wider ban on construction and demolition activities, subject to certain exemptions, will remain effective from December 10 to January 20.
– Parking charges: Parking fees at authorised parking facilities across Delhi have been doubled until February 28.
– Office attendance: Government and private offices have been directed to restrict physical attendance to 50 per cent between November 1 and January 31, with the remaining employees working from home.
Essential and emergency services have been kept outside the restrictions.
Authorities Step Up Measures to Control Winter Pollution
The first-day enforcement figures indicate that authorities have intensified monitoring of vehicles and construction activities as winter pollution control measures come into effect.
Through the Delhi Winter Action Plan, the government aims to reduce pollution from vehicular emissions, construction dust and other sources. Officials have also appealed to residents, vehicle owners and construction agencies to follow the prescribed rules and contribute to improving Delhi’s air quality.
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