Delhi authorities reported the imposition of penalties and environmental compensation totalling Rs 68.4 lakh on the inaugural day of the Winter Action Plan aimed at curbing pollution. By 5 pm on Sunday, officials had checked nearly 15,000 vehicles, resulting in 1,539 being denied entry at border points. Additionally, 566 challans were issued for violations related to the Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) regulations.

The fines included Rs 56.6 lakh for PUCC violations, Rs 2 lakh for breaches of border entry restrictions, and Rs 9.8 lakh in environmental compensation for infractions related to construction and demolition activities. The enforcement efforts were conducted by the Delhi Traffic Police and the Transport Department, which checked a total of 14,930 vehicles, with approximately 10.31 per cent turned back.

Among the vehicles turned away, there were 140 light motor vehicles, 54 light commercial vehicles, 95 heavy goods vehicles, and 34 buses. Furthermore, of the 1,423 two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and other vehicles checked, 789 were turned back, with 38 impounded. The environment department’s data indicated that 7,279 non-destined vehicles were also inspected, with 314 being denied entry, though no challans were issued for these vehicles.

Details of Challans and Environmental Compensation

In a dedicated enforcement initiative against vehicles operating without valid PUCCs, authorities issued 566 challans, resulting in fines amounting to Rs 56.6 lakh. The Delhi Traffic Police accounted for 493 of these challans, imposing Rs 49.3 lakh in penalties, while the Transport Department issued 73 challans totalling Rs 7.3 lakh.

Additionally, enforcement actions targeting dust pollution at construction and demolition sites led to environmental compensation of Rs 9.8 lakh. A total of 300 construction sites were inspected, revealing that 32 were in violation of dust control norms. Among these, 91 large sites, defined as having plot areas exceeding 500 square metres, had 16 found to be non-compliant.

Authorities issued two closure directions and four show-cause notices to the large sites, imposing Rs 4 lakh in environmental compensation. In the case of 209 smaller sites, with plot areas below 500 square metres, 17 were found violating the norms, leading to 15 closure directions and 15 show-cause notices, with Rs 5.8 lakh in compensation imposed. Overall, 17 closure directions and 19 show-cause notices were issued across the inspected sites.

Ongoing Measures and Future Restrictions

The Delhi Environment Minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, emphasised the importance of compliance with vehicle entry restrictions, PUCC norms, and dust regulations. He noted that enforcement teams were actively monitoring these areas, highlighting that 14,930 vehicles were checked, with 566 PUCC challans issued and 300 sites inspected.

The restrictions under the Winter Action Plan will be enforced from November 1 to February 28, aimed at mitigating air pollution. Pre-BS-VI vehicles registered outside Delhi will be prohibited from entering the national capital until January 31. Furthermore, all dust-generating demolition and outdoor civil construction activities are barred, except for specified essential public infrastructure projects.

From December 10 to January 20, there will be a complete ban on construction and demolition activities, barring certain exemptions. Additionally, parking fees at authorised parking lots across Delhi have been doubled until February 28. Government and private offices are also mandated to limit physical attendance to 50 per cent from November 1 to January 31, with the remainder of employees working from home, while essential services are exempt from these restrictions.

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