In a major crackdown on pollution, authorities in Delhi have imposed fines totaling over Rs 260 crore on more than 2.6 lakh vehicles without valid Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC) in just 50 days. This action was taken under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which aims to control air pollution in the city.

From October 16 to December 6, the Environment Department issued 260,258 challans across all four stages of GRAP. Stage 1, from October 16 to October 22, saw 12,756 challans. Stage 2, between October 22 and November 14, had 111,235 fines. In Stage 3, between November 15 and November 17, 13,938 challans were issued. Finally, Stage 4, from November 18 to December 5, saw the highest number of fines, with 114,089 vehicles penalized.

After the Stage 4 restrictions were lifted on December 6, Stage 2 measures remained in place, resulting in 8,240 additional challans. The fines are significant, with each motorist being penalized Rs 10,000 for not possessing a valid PUCC.

Delhi's air quality reached alarming levels in November, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) touching 450 on November 17, entering the “severe-plus” category for the first time that year. In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) escalated the restrictions to Stage IV, the most stringent level of action under GRAP. On November 18, when the AQI reached 494, the second-worst air quality in six years, Stage IV restrictions were enforced. These included a ban on non-essential trucks entering the city and restrictions on light commercial vehicles from outside Delhi.

The enforcement of Stage IV led to a sharp increase in fines, with 114,089 challans issued between November 18 and December 5. Overaged vehicles were also impounded, with a total of 11,427 vehicles seized across all stages. The highest number of impounded vehicles, 5,346, occurred during Stage 2, between October 22 and November 14. The second-highest number, 3,679 vehicles, was recorded during Stage 4.

As part of the pollution control measures, non-destined trucks were diverted through the Eastern and Western Peripheral Roads, reducing traffic within the city. During the enforcement period, 104,768 trucks were diverted. However, after Stage 4 restrictions were lifted on December 6, the diversion of non-destined trucks dropped to zero.

The GRAP, first introduced in 2017, classifies air quality in Delhi-NCR into four stages: Stage 1 for ‘poor’ air quality (AQI 201-300), Stage 2 for ‘very poor’ air quality (AQI 301-400), Stage 3 for ‘severe’ air quality (AQI 401-450), and Stage 4 for ‘severe plus’ air quality (AQI above 450).

In addition to vehicle fines, the authorities also fined 730 vehicles for carrying uncovered construction and demolition waste. Delhi's air quality improved significantly in early December, entering the ‘moderate’ category, though it briefly deteriorated again on December 8, reaching the ‘very poor’ category with an AQI of 302.

The situation remains volatile, and while the air quality is improving, authorities continue to monitor the situation and enforce measures to keep pollution levels in check.

(This article is a reworked version of a PTI feed.)