Delhi's enforcement agencies turned back 1,539 vehicles at the city's border points on the first day of the Winter Action Plan, after checking 14,930 vehicles, according to official data compiled till 5 pm on Sunday.
Penalties and environmental compensation totalling Rs 68.4 lakh were imposed, and 566 challans were issued for violations of Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) norms. The total comprised Rs 56.6 lakh in PUCC penalties, Rs 2 lakh in fines for breaching border-entry restrictions and Rs 9.8 lakh in environmental compensation for construction and demolition violations.
About 10.31 per cent of the vehicles checked by Delhi Traffic Police and the Transport Department were sent back. Enforcement teams issued 127 challans and impounded 62 vehicles, with fines of Rs 2 lakh. Among those turned back were 140 light motor vehicles, 54 light commercial vehicles, 95 heavy and medium goods vehicles and 34 buses. Of 1,423 two-wheelers, three-wheelers and other vehicles checked, 789 were turned back and 38 impounded.
A separate check of 7,279 non-destined vehicles led to 314 being turned back, though no challans were issued. CNG vehicles, electric vehicles and those on essential services were exempt; 740 such vehicles were verified and allowed entry.
In the PUCC drive, traffic police issued 493 challans worth Rs 49.3 lakh and the transport department 73 challans worth Rs 7.3 lakh.
Inspections covered 300 construction sites, of which 32 were found violating dust control norms: 16 of 91 large sites above 500 square metres and 17 of 209 smaller ones. Authorities issued 17 closure directions and 19 show-cause notices.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on X: "Today 14,930 vehicles checked, 566 PUC challans and 300 sites inspected. Keep PUC valid, follow entry rules and dust norms. The quest for clean air needs our collective efforts."
Under the plan, vehicles registered outside Delhi that are older than BS VI cannot enter until January 31. Parking fees at authorised lots have been doubled till February 28, and government and private offices must limit physical attendance to 50 per cent from November 1 to January 31, with emergency services exempted.
(With inputs from PTI and media reports)
Aggregated from official Delhi government enforcement data reported by media. (With inputs from PTI and media reports)