The Delhi government has intensified its campaign against high-emission vehicles, impounding 28 goods-carrying buses, seizing 100 polluting vehicles, and issuing 3,970 challans in a single day, officials confirmed. This large-scale enforcement operation reflects the city’s commitment to improving air quality while balancing citizen convenience.
According to a senior official in the Transport Department, nearly 4,927 vehicles were inspected across the capital, generating 2,390 challans issued by the Delhi Traffic Police (PUCC), 285 by Transport Enforcement (PUCC), and 1,114 via Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. The operation also addressed compliance with the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), resulting in 181 challans and 11 vehicles penalised. Of the vehicles inspected, 238 were returned to their owners after rectifying violations. The enforcement effort extended to Pollution Under Control (PUC) centres, with 28 centres suspended and two licences cancelled for non-compliance. In one case of alleged malpractice, a police complaint was filed against a Gokulpuri PUC centre for issuing forged certificates. Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh emphasised that senior officials have been instructed to personally monitor PUC centres, ensuring vehicle owners are not unduly inconvenienced while maintaining strict oversight.
“Combining rigorous enforcement with accessible services ensures clean air without compromising citizen convenience,” a senior urban planner said. “Transparent inspections and active monitoring are essential for sustainable urban mobility and public health.” Operations focused on major city entry points and congestion hubs, including Kashmiri Gate, Geeta Colony, and Mori Gate, highlighting a strategic approach to tackling pollution from high-emission goods vehicles. By coordinating Transport Enforcement, Traffic Police, and automated monitoring systems, the city aims to maintain persistent oversight of vehicular emissions.
Experts note that Delhi’s approach balances short-term enforcement with long-term behavioural change. Strict challans and operational suspensions send a clear signal to vehicle owners and PUC centres while reinforcing the importance of regular emission checks. In the broader urban context, these measures contribute to reducing particulate matter and other pollutants, complementing sustainable transport policies and green urban planning initiatives. The Delhi Transport Department confirmed that such enforcement drives, integrated with GRAP compliance checks, will continue regularly. By maintaining strict but citizen-friendly procedures, the city seeks to improve air quality, ensure accountability, and strengthen public trust in regulatory frameworks.
