Delhi fines total Rs 68.4 lakh in first day of winter pollution crackdown
Delhi authorities imposed Rs 68.4 lakh in penalties on the first day of the Winter Action Plan, targeting vehicle emissions, entry-rule breaches and construction dust violations.
Delhi enforcement teams imposed penalties worth Rs 68.4 lakh on the first day of the Winter Action Plan, checking nearly 15,000 vehicles at city borders. A total of 566 challans were issued for violations of Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) norms, and 1,539 vehicles were turned back.
According to data released by the Delhi Traffic Police and Transport Department, fines for PUCC violations accounted for Rs 56.6 lakh, entry-restriction breaches for Rs 2 lakh and environmental compensation for dust-control breaches at construction sites for Rs 9.8 lakh.
Under the ban on non-Delhi pre-BS-VI vehicles, officials inspected 14,930 vehicles, turning back about 10.3 percent. Among those turned back were 140 light motor vehicles, 54 light commercial vehicles, 95 heavy goods vehicles and 34 buses. Additionally, 789 two-wheelers, three-wheelers and other vehicles were denied entry, with 38 impounded.
A separate check of 7,279 non-destined vehicles resulted in 314 turn-backs but no fines. Vehicles running on compressed natural gas, electric vehicles and those serving essential services were verified and allowed entry.
The PUCC enforcement drive resulted in 566 challans, with the Traffic Police issuing 493 (Rs 49.3 lakh) and the Transport Department 73 (Rs 7.3 lakh).
The dust-control inspection covered 300 construction sites, finding 32 violations and generating Rs 9.8 lakh in environmental compensation. Among 91 large sites, 16 were non-compliant, leading to two closure orders and four show-cause notices. Of 209 smaller sites, 17 violated norms, prompting 15 closure orders and 15 show-cause notices.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa posted on X that enforcement teams were checking compliance with vehicle entry rules, PUCC requirements and construction dust regulations, urging the public to keep PUCC certificates valid and follow entry and dust-control rules.
The winter restrictions will remain in effect until February 28, with non-Delhi pre-BS-VI vehicles barred until January 31 and a construction ban in place from December 10 to January 20, except for essential public infrastructure projects. Parking fees at authorized lots have been doubled, and government and private offices have been asked to limit physical attendance to 50 percent between November 1 and January 31.