The second day of Delhi's stringent new traffic regulations saw a notable shift in compliance, with authorities reporting a sharp decline in the number of penalties issued. Enforcement officials stationed at key entry points into the capital observed that more drivers are now aware of and adhering to the norms, particularly the mandatory requirement of a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC).
Queues for Compliance at CNG Pumps
On Friday, a distinct scene unfolded at a CNG pump opposite the police booth at the Kapashera border checkpoint, a major gateway from Gurgaon into Delhi. Instead of preparing cash or cards, drivers of tempos, autorickshaws, and taxis waited in line with their PUCCs ready for inspection. Joginder, a Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) employee, was tasked with checking documents. He noted a significant improvement from the previous day, having turned back only one vehicle by Friday compared to five on Thursday.
"Most people are now renewing their certificates," Joginder stated, highlighting the rapid change in driver behavior. He is part of a team of six DTC officials working in shifts at pumps near the Kapashera and Rajokri borders to enforce the Delhi government's directive to deny fuel to vehicles without a valid PUCC.
Thinned Traffic and Stricter Border Checks
The impact of the curbs was visibly clear at the Kapashera border itself. The usually congested toll plaza, known for long afternoon queues, was sparse with only a handful of private vehicles and tempos. Shyaam, an employee at the toll plaza, confirmed a significant reduction in trucks and interstate transport vehicles attempting to enter Delhi.
"Vehicles that do not have a valid PUCC are not coming. Those missed by traffic police are stopped here and also checked for BS-VI compliance. If we find any kind of dust or building material, we are sending them back," he explained. The government has barred all non-BS-VI vehicles registered outside Delhi from entering the capital.
Near the police booth, transport department sub-inspectors were conducting checks. One officer reported that out of approximately 150 bikes stopped since morning, only one was found without a PUCC. "People with private vehicles are now renewing their PUCCs," the sub-inspector said.
Sharp Decline in Penalties and Enforcement Challenges
At the Rajokri toll plaza, traffic police personnel reported issuing 50% fewer challans compared to Thursday, the first day of the drive. By around 3 pm on Friday, they had issued only four challans, all for BS-VI violations, a shift from the previous day's focus on PUCC offences.
However, enforcement comes with its own set of challenges. Officials stationed at the wide, 12-laned road at Rajokri cited severe dust pollution as a major hindrance. "You can’t stand for more than 20 minutes, even with a mask, before having to get inside our car to take a breather," a DTC official remarked.
At the Delhi-Noida border in Mayur Vihar, authorities have deployed a PCR van to chase down offenders who attempt to flee, especially during the night when trucks and interstate buses are more active. Traffic police officers noted that the real challenge occurs during peak morning hours when all personnel are required for traffic management, leaving little room for document checks.
The collective feedback from the frontline suggests that while the new rules are causing initial disruption, public awareness is rising quickly, leading to improved compliance and a clearer objective of reducing vehicular pollution in the national capital.
