Delhi imposes Rs 68.4 lakh fines as vehicle ban and dust controls take effect

Delhi officials reported that 14,930 vehicles were inspected on Sunday as part of the Winter Action Plan, which restricts entry of non-Delhi pre-BS-VI vehicles. About 10.3% of the vehicles were turned back at border points, and 566 challans were issued for violations of Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) requirements, generating Rs 56.6 lakh in penalties.

In addition to vehicle-related fines, authorities imposed Rs 2 lakh for border-entry violations and collected Rs 9.8 lakh as environmental compensation from construction and demolition sites that failed to meet dust-control standards.

The enforcement drive saw 1,539 vehicles denied entry, including 140 light motor vehicles, 54 light commercial vehicles, 95 heavy goods vehicles and 34 buses. Among two-wheelers, three-wheelers and other vehicles, 789 were turned back and 38 were impounded. Vehicles running on compressed natural gas, electric vehicles and those serving essential services were exempt and 740 such vehicles were allowed entry.

The Delhi Traffic Police issued 493 PUCC challans, imposing fines of Rs 49.3 lakh, while the Transport Department issued 73 challans worth Rs 7.3 lakh. Separate inspections of 300 construction sites found 32 violations of dust-control norms, leading to 17 closure directions, 19 show-cause notices and Rs 9.8 lakh in compensation.

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa posted on X, "Today 14,930 vehicles checked, 566 PUC challans and 300 sites inspected. Keep PUC valid, follow entry rules and dust norms. The quest for clean air needs our collective efforts."

The vehicle entry ban on pre-BS-VI cars registered outside Delhi remains in force until January 31, while dust-generating construction activities are restricted between December 10 and January 20, with limited exemptions for essential public infrastructure projects.