In a significant escalation of its fight against toxic air, the Delhi government on Thursday launched a stringent enforcement drive under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The 24-hour crackdown resulted in the impounding of 28 goods-carrying buses and the issuance of a staggering 3,970 challans to vehicles flouting emission norms.
Massive Vehicle Checks Yield Thousands of Penalties
Transport department teams, in coordination with the traffic police, conducted inspections of 4,927 vehicles within a single day. The breakdown of penalties reveals the scale of violations. Traffic police officials issued 2,390 challans specifically for Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) violations. Meanwhile, the transport enforcement teams issued another 285 challans.
Technology played a key role, with 1,114 violations detected automatically through the network of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras across the capital. Furthermore, 11 vehicles were penalised by the transport department for breaching GRAP restrictions, with the Traffic Police issuing 170 more challans for similar offences.
With the 28 buses impounded on Wednesday—several of which were interstate vehicles—the total number of vehicles seized this month has reached approximately 100. In a positive turn, 238 vehicles were permitted to resume operations after they rectified their emissions and complied with the requirements.
Crackdown Extends to Rogue PUC Centres
The government's action is not limited to vehicles alone. Following numerous complaints of malpractice, the transport department has come down heavily on errant Pollution Under Control (PUC) centres. So far, 28 PUC centres have been suspended and the licences of two have been cancelled outright. Action is underway against two more centres.
In a serious case of alleged fraud, a police complaint has been filed at the Gokulpuri police station against a PUC centre accused of issuing forged certificates. To tackle the issue of fake PUCCs originating from outside Delhi, the department has also written to the transport commissioners of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, urging them to take action against violators in their states.
Minister Emphasises Strict Yet Convenient Approach
Delhi's Transport Minister, Pankaj Kumar Singh, stated that the government is adopting a dual strategy of strict enforcement coupled with citizen convenience. He has directed senior transport officials to personally inspect PUC centres across Delhi to ensure vehicle owners do not face harassment or inconvenience while obtaining legitimate certificates.
"We are enforcing pollution norms firmly while ensuring that vehicle owners face no difficulty. Any irregularity at these centres will be dealt with strictly," Singh asserted. The minister added that officials have been instructed to report any deficiencies at PUC centres directly to him for immediate resolution.
The intensive drive, which focused particularly on goods vehicles and repeat emission offenders, underscores the administration's commitment to implementing GRAP measures as air quality concerns peak in the national capital region.
