Delhi traffic crackdown nets Rs 1 crore in pollution-related fines on day one
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The Delhi Traffic Police levied over Rs 1 crore in fines on Friday, the first day of implementing stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to tackle severe air pollution in the capital.
A total of 550 challans were issued for violations of restrictions on BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicles, officials reported.
Additionally, approximately 4,855 vehicles were penalized for not possessing valid Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC), resulting in Rs 4.8 crore in fines. Under the regulations, a Rs 10,000 fine is imposed for missing PUCC, while BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicle violations attract a Rs 20,000 penalty.
The restrictions also prohibit the entry of certain diesel and petrol buses from NCR cities into Delhi.
The police conducted extensive vehicle checks, particularly in border areas, inspecting around 3,000 vehicles across three traffic ranges. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Rajiv Kumar Rawal stated that around 300 non-compliant vehicles attempting to enter the city were turned back. “Vehicles without a PUCC are being prosecuted, and interstate buses are thoroughly inspected,” he added.
The eastern, central, and northern ranges issued 293 challans for BS III and BS IV vehicles, while the New Delhi, southern, and western ranges issued 63, 121, and 73 challans respectively. For PUCC violations, 2,404 challans were issued in total, with the New Delhi range accounting for 322, the southern range 894, and the western range 1,235.
The Delhi government has imposed strict measures under GRAP stage III, including a ban on private BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicles, limitations on interstate buses that are not electric or CNG-powered, restrictions on certain construction activities, and staggered working hours for government offices.
The city recorded 'severe' air quality on Friday morning, necessitating these emergency measures announced by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) a day prior.
