Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Nov 2: Delhi authorities imposed penalties and environmental compensation totalling Rs 68.4 lakh on the first day of the Winter Action Plan, as the national capital stepped up its efforts to combat rising air pollution. Enforcement teams checked 14,930 vehicles, turned back 1,539 at border entry points and issued 566 challans for violations of Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) norms.
According to official data available until 5 pm on Sunday, the total penalties included Rs 56.6 lakh for PUCC violations, Rs 2 lakh for breaches of vehicle entry restrictions and Rs 9.8 lakh in environmental compensation for violations of dust-control regulations at construction and demolition sites.
As part of the restrictions on vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI emission standards, the Delhi Traffic Police and Transport Department inspected 14,930 vehicles, turning back approximately 10.31 per cent of them. Authorities issued 127 challans and impounded 62 vehicles, collecting Rs 2 lakh in fines.
Among the vehicles turned back were 140 light motor vehicles (LMVs), 54 light commercial vehicles (LCVs), 95 heavy goods vehicles and 34 buses. Of the 1,423 two-wheelers, three-wheelers and other vehicles checked, 789 were turned back and 38 were impounded.
In a separate exercise, authorities checked 7,279 non-destined vehicles, of which 314 were turned back. No challans were issued in this category. Meanwhile, 740 vehicles running on compressed natural gas (CNG), electric vehicles (EVs) and those engaged in essential services were verified and allowed entry, as they were exempted from the restrictions.
The drive against vehicles operating without valid PUCC certificates resulted in 566 challans amounting to Rs 56.6 lakh. The Delhi Traffic Police issued 493 challans worth Rs 49.3 lakh, while the Transport Department issued 73 challans amounting to Rs 7.3 lakh.
Authorities also intensified inspections at construction and demolition sites to curb dust pollution. Of the 300 sites inspected, 32 were found violating prescribed dust-control norms, attracting environmental compensation of Rs 9.8 lakh.
Among the 91 large construction sites with plot areas exceeding 500 square metres, 16 were found violating the regulations. Authorities issued two closure directions and four show-cause notices and imposed environmental compensation of Rs 4 lakh.
Of the 209 smaller construction sites inspected, 17 were found violating dust-control rules. These sites were issued 15 closure directions and 15 show-cause notices, with environmental compensation of Rs 5.8 lakh imposed.
Overall, authorities issued 17 closure directions and 19 show-cause notices across the 300 inspected sites. No violations were reported at infrastructure projects exempted from the restrictions.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said enforcement teams were monitoring compliance with vehicle entry restrictions, PUCC requirements and construction dust-control regulations.
In a post on X, Sirsa said, "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 Winter Action Plan came into force on November 1 and will remain operational, with different restrictions applicable between November 1 and February 28.
Under the plan, vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not comply with BS-VI emission standards will be prohibited from entering the national capital until January 31. CNG vehicles, electric vehicles and those involved in essential services are exempted from the restrictions.
Dust-generating demolition and outdoor civil construction activities have also been prohibited, except for specified essential public infrastructure projects. A complete ban on construction and demolition activities, subject to certain exemptions, will be imposed from December 10 to January 20.
To discourage private vehicle use, parking charges at authorised parking facilities across Delhi have been doubled until February 28.
The government has also directed government and private offices to limit physical attendance to 50 per cent between November 1 and January 31, with the remaining employees required to work from home. Essential and emergency services have been exempted from this arrangement.
The measures are aimed at reducing vehicular emissions, controlling construction-related dust and limiting other sources of pollution during Delhi's high-pollution winter months.