Delhi pollution checks turned back 1,539 of the 14,930 vehicles examined at the capital’s borders on the first day of a winter enforcement drive targeting older vehicles, non-destination trucks and vehicles without valid pollution-under-control certificates (PUCCs), according to government data reported by the Times of India.
The vehicles were stopped as Delhi introduced restrictions aimed at limiting pollution from transport and construction activity. Delhi Traffic Police turned back 1,426 vehicles, while transport department teams sent back another 113. Two- and three-wheelers accounted for the largest category among the vehicles turned away, with 789 recorded. The enforcement also covered 140 light motor vehicles, 95 heavy goods vehicles, 54 light goods vehicles, 34 buses and 314 non-destination vehicles.
The drive continued into its second day. Delhi Traffic Police said that by 8pm, teams had checked 8,263 vehicles, turned back 1,228, issued 37 challans and impounded two vehicles. The department’s separate zone-wise figures showed 10,560 vehicles checked, 915 turned back and 31 challans issued by the same time. Zone I, covering the central, northern and eastern ranges, recorded 6,639 checks and 520 vehicles turned back, while Zone II recorded 3,921 checks and 395 vehicles turned back.
The enforcement is being carried out jointly by the traffic police, the transport department and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Dinesh Kumar Gupta said teams were focusing on non-destination vehicles from other states and checking PUCCs across vehicle categories. He said authorities were coordinating with neighbouring districts to reduce confusion and congestion at border checkpoints.
Trucks not destined for Delhi are prohibited from entering the city and are required to use the Eastern or Western Peripheral Expressways. Non-BS-VI commercial goods vehicles registered outside Delhi are also barred. Vehicles without valid PUCC certificates can be stopped, turned back or penalised regardless of their emission category.
PUCC violations resulted in 566 challans. The traffic police issued 493 challans and imposed fines totalling Rs 49.3 lakh, while the transport department issued 73 challans involving Rs 7.3 lakh in fines. The combined penalty under PUCC enforcement was Rs 56.6 lakh. Across the wider border operation, authorities reported 127 challans and the impounding of 62 vehicles. A total of 740 exempted vehicles, including CNG, electric and essential-service vehicles, were checked and allowed to enter Delhi.
The enforcement also extended to construction and demolition sites, which are a separate source of dust pollution in the capital. Authorities inspected 300 sites and found violations at 33. They issued 17 closure directions and 19 show-cause notices and imposed environmental compensation of Rs 9.8 lakh. Of 91 large sites measuring at least 500 square metres, 16 were found violating dust-control conditions. Among 209 smaller sites inspected, 17 violations were detected.
Authorities said round-the-clock patrolling would continue across all 12 border corridors and construction hubs. A WhatsApp group is being used by participating departments to share directions from the Commission for Air Quality Management and updates on enforcement action.
