Sirsa urges residents to follow pollution-control measures

Even as Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) 4 restrictions were lifted after a temporary improvement in air quality, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Friday urged residents to continue following pollution-control measures, warning that weather conditions may worsen again due to an approaching western disturbance.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Transport Department (DTC) has intensified its anti-pollution enforcement drive under the GRAP restrictions, impounding 28 buses, including interstate vehicles, in a day for violating emission norms. Enforcement agencies inspected 4,927 vehicles across the city in the past 24 hours and issued 3,970 challans. Of these, 2,390 challans were issued by the Delhi Traffic Police for Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) violations, 285 by transport enforcement teams, and 1,114 were filed through automatic number plate recognition cameras.

Addressing the media, Sirsa said weather conditions are likely to turn unfavourable, with increased chances of dense haze and fog, which could worsen pollution levels.

“According to the weather department and past data, the impact of the western disturbance will be visible in Delhi in the next couple of days. The weather will deteriorate again and there is a strong possibility of heavy haze,” he said.

The minister urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to follow pollution control measures despite the relaxation of restrictions. He appealed to the people not to take out vehicles without valid Pollution Under Control Certificates and to avoid unnecessary travel.

“Even though the 50 per cent work-from-home norm has been withdrawn, I request people to avoid using their vehicles unless absolutely necessary,” Sirsa said.

Emphasising community participation, Sirsa also appealed to citizens not to burn garbage or light fires at night, warning that biomass burning significantly contributes to air pollution. He said collective efforts are essential to ensure cleaner air for the city.

Warning that fog could turn into smog again due to worsening weather conditions, Sirsa said Delhi must remain on high alert to prevent a fresh spike in pollution levels. “The clear weather we saw over the past couple of days may not last. We all need to work together to keep Delhi’s air clean,” he added.

On the entry of vehicles below BS-VI norms into Delhi, Sirsa said, while it would be better if such vehicles are avoided, they are currently allowed to enter the city following the lifting of GRAP 4 restrictions.

Meanwhile, the Transport Department said in a press statement that, additionally, 11 vehicles were penalised for GRAP violations by the Transport Department, while 170 GRAP-related challans were issued by the Delhi Traffic Police.

A total of 238 vehicles were released after compliance,” the statement said.

The Transport Department has also taken strict action against erring Pollution Under Control (PUC) centres. So far, 28 PUC centres have been placed under suspension, the licences of two centres have been cancelled, and action has been initiated against two more. In a case of alleged malpractice, a police complaint has been lodged against a PUC centre at Gokulpuri Police Station for issuing forged PUCCs.

Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said strict enforcement against polluting vehicles would continue, while ensuring that citizens are not inconvenienced at PUC centres. He also directed senior transport department officials to personally inspect PUC centres across Delhi and report any irregularities directly to him.

The department said around 100 goods vehicles have been impounded so far this month for pollution-related violations as enforcement has been tightened at key congestion points and city entry locations, including Kashmiri Gate, Geeta Colony and Mori Gate.

Taking a tough stand against irregularities at Pollution Under Control (PUC) centres, the Transport Department said 28 centres have been suspended so far, while the licences of two have been cancelled. Action has also been initiated against two more centres. In one case of alleged malpractice, a police complaint was lodged at Gokulpuri police station against a PUC centre accused of issuing forged certificates, the statement reads. The department has also written to the transport commissioners of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, urging strict action against out-of-state vehicles found operating with forged PUCCs.

According to the weather department and past data, the impact of the western disturbance will be visible in Delhi in the next couple of days. The weather will deteriorate again and there is a strong possibility of heavy haze

            — Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Environment Minister