More than 1.5 lakh fines issued in Delhi so far this year over pollution violations

During the period from January 1 to October 15, 52,388 challans were issued in 2021 and 1,08,100 in 2022.

More than 1.5 lakh challans were issued till October 15 this year to vehicle owners driving without pollution under control certificates (PUCC), Delhi Traffic Police said on Saturday.

Traffic police issued most of the challans to motorcycle riders (69,190), followed by scooter riders (49,219), car drivers (33,754) and autorickshaw drivers (1,556). (File)

According to data shared by traffic police, a total of 1,58,762 challans were issued till October 15 this year, which is 50,662 more than the number of challans issued during the same period last year.

During the period from January 1 to October 15, 52,388 challans were issued in 2021 and 1,08,100 in 2022.

This year, the maximum number of challans were issued in Daryaganj circle (6,306), followed by Sarita Vihar (6,254), Rajouri Garden (5,595), Shahdara (5,442) and Tilak Nagar (5,252), the data showed.

Traffic police issued most of the challans to motorcycle riders (69,190), followed by scooter riders (49,219), car drivers (33,754) and autorickshaw drivers (1,556).

A total of 81,246 challans were issued in 2019, 69,199 in 2020, 1,04,369 in 2021 and 1,31,799 in 2022, according to the data.

The number of challans in 2020 was comparatively less as there were restrictions on movement due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Delhi Traffic Police is taking various steps to check and control air pollution in the city, including enforcement of directions issued by Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, National Green Tribunal, Commission for Air Quality Management, Central Pollution Control Board, Environment Department/Delhi Pollution Control Committee and Delhi government, etc. to maintain ambient air quality, an official statement said.

It is mandatory for vehicles plying in India to have valid PUCC and for their drivers to carry a copy of it.

The main purpose behind this is to only allow those vehicles on the roads that are following emission norms as regulated by the central government. The vehicles plying without valid PUCC are fined ₹10,000, including disqualification of license for three months for the first offence, the statement said.

The increase in the number of challans over the years suggests a growing emphasis on curbing vehicular emissions and promoting cleaner air in the city, the statement said.