New Delhi: The Delhi Traffic Police has collected more than Rs 84 crore in fines during intensified pollution-control checks carried out under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) between October 14 and November 18. Most of these challans were issued to vehicles running without valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates, each violation attracting a penalty of Rs 10,000.

Officials said the action was part of the city’s annual winter crackdown on vehicular emissions, which remain among the biggest contributors to Delhi’s toxic air. Besides PUC violations, the police also fined vehicles emitting visible smoke, stopped non-compliant buses from entering the city and diverted thousands of trucks that were not destined for Delhi.

Over the period, more than 4,700 non-destined trucks were rerouted via peripheral expressways to reduce pollution load, and nearly 6,000 interstate buses were checked at city borders, with several turned back for not meeting GRAP norms. The police also took action against vehicles carrying uncovered construction and demolition waste, a major source of dust pollution.

A senior officer said the force remains on high alert as air quality dips further in winter and that strict enforcement will continue. The drive, officials added, is meant to remind people that something as basic as keeping a valid PUC certificate can help reduce pollution while also saving motorists from hefty fines.

BI Bureau