Delhi imposes Rs 68.4 lakh in fines on 1st day of Winter Action Plan; 1,539 vehicles turned back

Delhi authorities imposed fines and environmental compensation amounting to Rs 68.4 lakh on the first day of the Winter Action Plan. Enforcement teams inspected nearly 15,000 vehicles, turned back 1,539 at border checkpoints and issued 566 challans for violations related to Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC).

According to official data available until 5 pm on Sunday, the penalties comprised 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 non-compliance with dust control norms at construction and demolition sites.

As part of the restrictions on non-Delhi vehicles below the BS-VI emission standard, the Delhi Traffic Police and Transport Department inspected 14,930 vehicles, sending back approximately 10.31 per cent of them. Officials issued 127 challans, impounded 62 vehicles and collected fines totalling Rs 2 lakh.

The vehicles turned away included 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 inspected, 789 were denied entry, while 38 were impounded.

In a separate exercise, authorities checked 7,279 vehicles that were not destined for Delhi and turned back 314 of them. 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 checked and permitted to enter Delhi, as they were exempt from the restrictions, India Today reported.

PUCC violation account for largest share of fines

In a separate drive targeting vehicles operating without valid Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC), enforcement authorities issued 566 challans and levied fines totalling Rs 56.6 lakh.

Of these, the Delhi Traffic Police issued 493 challans, imposing penalties worth Rs 49.3 lakh, while the Transport Department issued the remaining 73 challans, amounting to Rs 7.3 lakh.

300 construction sites inspected

The drive to curb dust pollution at construction and demolition sites resulted in environmental compensation of Rs 9.8 lakh. During the operation, authorities inspected 300 sites and detected violations of dust control regulations at 32 locations.

Among the 91 large construction sites, each spread across more than 500 square metres, 16 were found flouting the prescribed norms. Authorities issued two closure orders and four show-cause notices, besides imposing environmental compensation of Rs 4 lakh.

Of the 209 smaller construction sites inspected, 17 were found to be flouting dust control regulations. Authorities issued 15 closure orders and 15 show-cause notices in these cases and levied environmental compensation amounting to Rs 5.8 lakh.

Across all 300 inspected sites, officials issued a total of 17 closure directions and 19 show-cause notices. No violations were detected at infrastructure projects that had been granted exemptions.

Winter curbs in National capital till Feb 28

The restrictions introduced under Delhi's Winter Action Plan will be implemented in different phases between November 1 and February 28 as part of efforts to curb air pollution.

Vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet the BS-VI emission standards will be barred from entering the national capital until January 31. Dust-generating demolition work and outdoor construction activities have also been prohibited, with exemptions granted to certain essential public infrastructure projects.

Additionally, a blanket ban on construction and demolition activities, subject to specified exemptions, will be enforced from December 10 to January 20.