Delhi’s winter pollution drive targets vehicles and construction sites

Delhi authorities imposed penalties and environmental compensation totalling Rs 68.4 lakh on the first day of the Winter Action Plan enforcement drive on Sunday, November 1, after checking nearly 15,000 vehicles and turning back 1,539 at the city’s entry points.

The Delhi Traffic Police and Transport Department checked 14,930 vehicles under restrictions targeting non-Delhi vehicles that do not meet BS-VI emission standards. Around 10.31 per cent of those checked were turned back.

Official data available until 5 pm showed that authorities issued 566 challans for violations of Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) requirements, imposing fines of Rs 56.6 lakh, reported The New Indian Express.

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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.

A further Rs 2 lakh was imposed in penalties for violations of vehicle-entry restrictions.

Enforcement teams also inspected 300 construction sites to check compliance with dust-control requirements. Of these, 32 were found violating the prescribed norms, attracting environmental compensation of Rs 9.8 lakh.

The inspections covered 91 large construction sites and 209 smaller sites. Authorities issued closure directions and show-cause notices to establishments found violating the restrictions.

Separately, 7,279 vehicles that were passing through Delhi without having the capital as their destination were checked, with 314 turned back.

Vehicles running on compressed natural gas, electric vehicles and those engaged in essential services were exempted. A total of 740 such vehicles were verified and permitted to enter the city.

The enforcement drive is part of Delhi’s broader Winter Action Plan, which includes restrictions on older vehicles, construction dust, parking and office attendance.

Non-Delhi vehicles below BS-VI emission standards have been barred from entering the capital until January 31, subject to specified exemptions.