Delhi authorities imposed penalties and environmental compensation worth Rs 68.4 lakh on the first day of the city’s winter pollution enforcement drive, as restrictions aimed at curbing air pollution came into effect on November 1.
According to official data available until 5 pm on Sunday, enforcement teams checked 14,930 vehicles, turned back 1,539 vehicles at border points and issued 566 challans for violations of Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) requirements.
The penalties included Rs 56.6 lakh for PUCC violations, Rs 2 lakh for breaches of vehicle entry restrictions and Rs 9.8 lakh in environmental compensation for violations of dust control norms at construction and demolition sites.
Under the restrictions, non-Delhi vehicles complying with emission standards below BS-VI were prohibited from entering the national capital. The Delhi Traffic Police and Transport Department checked vehicles at border points, turning back around 10.31% of those inspected.
Authorities also checked vehicles operating without valid PUCC certificates, issuing 493 challans through the Delhi Traffic Police and 73 through the Transport Department.
The construction dust enforcement drive covered 300 sites, of which 32 were found violating dust control regulations. Officials issued 17 closure directions and 19 show-cause notices, while imposing environmental compensation on the violators.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said enforcement teams were monitoring compliance with vehicle restrictions, pollution certificates and construction dust regulations.
The restrictions form part of Delhi’s Winter Action Plan, which will remain in force through February 28, with different measures applying over varying periods.
Non-Delhi pre-BS-VI vehicles will remain barred from entering the capital until January 31. Dust-generating demolition and outdoor civil construction activities have also been prohibited, subject to exemptions for essential public infrastructure projects.
A complete ban on construction and demolition activities, with specified exemptions, will be enforced between December 10 and January 20.
Additionally, parking fees at authorised parking lots have been doubled until February 28. Government and private offices have been directed to limit physical attendance to 50% between November 1 and January 31, with the remaining employees working from home.
Source: India Today, November 2, 2026
