Delhi turns back 1,539 vehicles, imposes Rs 68.4 lakh in penalties on first day of pollution curbs

On the first day of winter, pollution control measures were launched in Delhi; a total of 1,539 vehicles were refused entry and fines and environmental compensation worth Rs 68.4 lakh were collected, official figures showed.

On Sunday, the Delhi Traffic Police and Transport Department examined 14,930 vehicles, of which an estimated 10.31 per cent were refused access under the ban on non-BS-VI emission-compliant vehicles registered outside Delhi, according to Press Trust of India.

Overall, Rs 56.6 lakh was collected through 566 challans for failure to carry a Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC), Rs 2 lakh through challans for entry restrictions and Rs 9.8 lakh through environmental compensation for violations in construction and demolition pollution.

There were 127 challans issued by the police and 62 vehicles were seized too.

In addition, 300 construction sites were evaluated, with dust-control violations reported at 32 sites. Seventeen closure directions and 19 show-cause notices were sent out.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said enforcement teams were monitoring restrictions on vehicle entry, pollution certificates and construction dust rules.

The restrictions are a part of the Delhi Winter Action Plan, with restrictions on non-BS-VI vehicles that were registered outside Delhi being applicable till Jan. 31, 2027.