Delhi pollution curbs resulted in Rs 68.4 lakh in penalties and environmental compensation on the first day of the Winter Action Plan, while authorities checked 14,930 vehicles, turned back 1,539 and inspected 300 construction and demolition sites.
The enforcement action covered vehicle entry restrictions, Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) compliance and dust-control regulations at construction sites, according to official data available until 5 pm. The total included Rs 56.6 lakh in penalties for PUCC violations, Rs 2 lakh for breaches of border-entry restrictions and Rs 9.8 lakh in environmental compensation for construction and demolition-related violations.
The Delhi Traffic Police and Transport Department checked vehicles under the ban on non-Delhi pre-BS-VI vehicles entering the national capital. About 10.31 per cent of the vehicles checked were turned back. Authorities issued 127 challans and impounded 62 vehicles, while enforcement teams imposed Rs 2 lakh in fines for entry-restriction violations.
The vehicles turned back included 140 light motor vehicles, 54 light commercial vehicles, 95 heavy goods vehicles and 34 buses. Of 1,423 two-wheelers, three-wheelers and other vehicles checked, 789 were turned back and 38 were impounded. Authorities also checked 7,279 non-destined vehicles and turned back 314 of them, without issuing challans.
Vehicles powered by compressed natural gas, electric vehicles and those involved in essential services were exempted from the restrictions. Authorities verified 740 such vehicles and allowed them to enter Delhi. Separately, 566 challans were issued for vehicles without valid PUCC certificates. The Delhi Traffic Police issued 493 of these challans, amounting to Rs 49.3 lakh, while the Transport Department issued 73 challans worth Rs 7.3 lakh.
Construction and demolition sites were also inspected for dust-control compliance. Of the 300 sites checked, 32 were found violating the norms. Among 91 large sites with plot areas above 500 square metres, 16 were found in violation. Authorities issued two closure directions and four show-cause notices to these sites and imposed Rs 4 lakh in environmental compensation.
Among 209 smaller sites, 17 were found violating dust-control norms. Officials issued 15 closure directions and 15 show-cause notices, imposing Rs 5.8 lakh in environmental compensation. Across all inspected sites, authorities issued 17 closure directions and 19 show-cause notices. No violations were reported at exempted infrastructure projects.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said in a post on X that enforcement teams were checking compliance with vehicle entry restrictions, PUCC requirements and construction dust regulations. He urged vehicle owners and construction operators to follow the rules as the city seeks to control pollution.
The restrictions under the Winter Action Plan will remain in force for varying periods between November 1 and February 28. Pre-BS-VI vehicles registered outside Delhi cannot enter the capital until January 31, while dust-generating demolition and outdoor civil construction activities have been barred except for specified essential public infrastructure projects. A complete ban on construction and demolition, subject to exemptions, is scheduled from December 10 to January 20. Parking fees at authorised lots have also been doubled until February 28, while government and private offices must limit physical attendance to 50 per cent from November 1 to January 31, with exemptions for essential and emergency services.
