In a major enforcement drive targeting vehicular pollution, teams from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh Police imposed hefty fines on numerous drivers for violating Delhi's stringent BS-VI emission norms at key entry points on Thursday. The crackdown, which saw fines of Rs 20,000 per vehicle, was conducted at the Chilla, Kalindi Kunj, and DND Flyway borders connecting Noida to Delhi.
Strict Enforcement at Key Borders
The joint operation began early in the morning, with police teams taking up positions on both sides of the Chilla border. Officers from Delhi Police, armed with mobile phones running the e-challan application, meticulously checked vehicles entering the national capital from Noida. Their primary task was to prevent the entry of any non-BS-VI compliant vehicle registered outside Delhi, a rule that has been in force in Delhi and the National Capital Region for the past seven to eight years.
By the afternoon, the team at Chilla border alone had penalized 10 vehicles with the Rs 20,000 fine and directed them to turn back. Police identified violators often by the visibly older appearance of the cars, which were likely compliant only with older BS-IV or earlier pollution norms.
Leniency on First Day, Focus on PUCC at Kalindi
Despite the strict mandate, officers exhibited some leniency on the first day of the intensified drive. "Many begged to be let off. In a few cases, if it seemed they could not afford to pay the hefty fine, we sent them back without fining them. This is the first day, so we were a little lenient," explained a police officer involved in the checks. The concern over causing traffic congestion also played a role, with authorities initially being more cautious about stopping too many vehicles.
At the Kalindi Kunj border, the focus extended to checking for valid Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCCs). The team there reported issuing challans to at least 15 cars by afternoon for not possessing the mandatory PUCC. Similar fines and turn-back orders were executed on the DND Flyway, where many drivers appeared unaware of the restrictions.
Awareness and Future Action
The enforcement action on December 19, 2025, highlights the ongoing struggle to improve air quality in the heavily polluted capital region. Police noted that while the flow of non-compliant vehicles reduced as the day progressed, a significant number of motorists were still ignorant of the rules banning non-BS-VI vehicles from outside Delhi. The drive, which involved 12-hour shifts for personnel who wore masks to protect themselves from the toxic air, is expected to continue as part of broader efforts to curb pollution sources. The day's events serve as a stark warning to vehicle owners to ensure their cars meet the latest emission standards and carry all required documents before attempting to enter Delhi.
