Delhi pollution curbs generated Rs 68.4 lakh in penalties and environmental compensation on the first day of the Winter Action Plan, while authorities checked nearly 15,000 vehicles, turned back 1,539 and inspected 300 construction and demolition sites.
Official data available until 5 pm on Sunday showed that 14,930 vehicles were checked by the Delhi Traffic Police and the Transport Department under restrictions on non-Delhi pre-BS-VI vehicles. About 10.31 per cent of the vehicles were turned back at border points, while 127 challans were issued and 62 vehicles were impounded for violations of border entry restrictions. Fines for these violations totalled Rs 2 lakh.
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, of which 314 were turned back without any challans being issued.
Vehicles powered by compressed natural gas, electric vehicles and those being used for essential services were exempted from the restrictions. Authorities verified 740 such vehicles and allowed them to enter Delhi.
The largest share of the first-day enforcement came from violations of Pollution Under Control Certificate norms. Authorities issued 566 challans and imposed penalties of Rs 56.6 lakh. 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.
Construction and demolition activity was also targeted under the winter pollution measures. Enforcement teams inspected 300 sites and found dust-control violations at 32 of them. Among 91 large sites with plot areas above 500 square metres, 16 were found violating the norms. Two closure directions and four show-cause notices were issued to these sites, along with environmental compensation of Rs 4 lakh.
Of 209 smaller sites with plot areas below 500 square metres, 17 were found violating dust-control requirements. Authorities issued 15 closure directions and 15 show-cause notices and imposed environmental compensation of Rs 5.8 lakh. Across all inspected sites, 17 closure directions and 19 show-cause notices were issued, with total compensation of Rs 9.8 lakh. No dust-control violations were reported at exempted infrastructure projects.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said in a post on X that enforcement teams were checking vehicle-entry restrictions, Pollution Under Control Certificate requirements and construction-dust regulations. He urged vehicle owners to keep their certificates valid and follow entry and dust-control rules.
The restrictions under the Winter Action Plan will remain in force for varying periods between November 1 and February 28. Non-Delhi pre-BS-VI vehicles 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. Government and private offices are required to limit physical attendance to 50 per cent from November 1 to January 31, with the remaining employees working from home. Essential and emergency services are exempted.
