Delhi bars entry of outside vehicles to fight pollution, fines of 6.84 million rupees on first day

On the very first day of implementing the Winter Action Plan to control air pollution, nearly 1,500 vehicles were denied entry into India's capital, Delhi. Authorities collected a total of 6.84 million rupees in fines and environmental compensation for various rule violations that day.

According to official figures available up to 5pm on Sunday, the total included 5.66 million rupees for violations concerning Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates, 200,000 rupees for defying entry restrictions at Delhi's borders, and 980,000 rupees as environmental compensation for pollution from construction and demolition work. Around 15,000 vehicles were checked, and 566 challans were issued over PUC violations.

To enforce the ban on pre-BS-VI vehicles registered outside Delhi, the Delhi Traffic Police and the transport department checked a total of 14,930 vehicles. Of them, 10.31 percent were turned back at the border itself. The drive issued 127 challans and seized 62 vehicles, collecting 200,000 rupees in fines.

Vehicles turned back included 140 light motor vehicles, 54 light commercial vehicles, 95 heavy goods vehicles and 34 buses. In addition, of 1,423 motorcycles, three-wheelers and other vehicles checked, 789 were turned back and 38 seized.

According to the environment department, 7,279 vehicles whose destination was not Delhi were also checked, of which 314 were turned back, though no challans were issued for them. CNG-run vehicles, electric cars and vehicles engaged in emergency and essential services were kept outside the ban — 740 such vehicles were verified and allowed to enter Delhi.

In a separate drive against vehicles running without valid PUC certificates, 566 challans were issued and 5.66 million rupees fined. Of these, the Delhi Traffic Police issued 493 challans collecting 4.93 million rupees, while the transport department issued 73 challans worth 730,000 rupees.

A drive was also carried out to control dust from construction and demolition sites. Inspecting 300 construction sites, officials found dust-control violations at 32. They issued 17 work-stoppage orders and 19 show-cause notices against those sites, imposing a total of 980,000 rupees in environmental compensation.

Among 91 large construction sites of over 500 square metres, violations were found at 16, drawing two work-stoppage orders, four show-cause notices and 400,000 rupees in compensation. Among 209 smaller sites under 500 square metres, violations at 17 sites drew 15 stoppage orders, 15 notices and 580,000 rupees in compensation.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said in a post on X that enforcement teams were checking compliance with vehicle entry restrictions, PUC certificates and construction dust-control rules. He wrote: 'Today 14,930 vehicles were checked, 566 challans issued for not having PUC certificates, and 300 construction sites inspected. Keep your PUC certificate valid, follow the entry rules and dust-control regulations. Ensuring clean air requires a collective effort from all of us.'

Under the Winter Action Plan to fight air pollution, these restrictions will remain in force in phases from 1 November until 28 February next year. Pre-BS-VI vehicles registered outside Delhi will not be able to enter the capital until 31 January. Except for certain essential infrastructure projects, all dust-generating demolition and open-site construction is banned, and from 10 December to 20 January all construction and demolition work will stop completely, with a few exceptions.

In addition, parking fees at Delhi's authorised parking areas have been doubled until 28 February. Government and private offices have been asked, from 1 November to 31 January, to allow at most 50 percent of staff to work in person, with the rest working from home; the restriction will not apply to essential and emergency services.