More than 16,800 vehicles registered outside Delhi and not meeting BS-VI emission standards have been turned back at the national capital's borders during the first nine days of a ban on their entry, as authorities intensify enforcement measures to tackle winter air pollution.
The restrictions, which came into effect on November 1 and will remain in force until January 31, prohibit non-Delhi-registered vehicles that do not meet BS-VI emission standards from entering the city. CNG and electric vehicles are exempt from the restrictions.
According to data shared by the Delhi Traffic Police, enforcement teams checked 73,877 vehicles between November 1 and 9, turning back 16,827, or an average of nearly 1,870 vehicles a day. Another 696 vehicles were issued challans for violating the entry restrictions, while the remaining vehicles were allowed into the city after verification confirmed that they met the prescribed norms.
The drive is part of Delhi's winter action plan and involves the traffic police, the transport department, the food supplies and consumer affairs departments, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and other agencies.
Over 1,000 vehicles turned back on Monday
Monday witnessed intensified enforcement at the city's entry points, with authorities checking 7,551 vehicles and turning back 1,099. Challans were issued to another 32 vehicles.
Vehicles that were not destined for Delhi accounted for the largest category of those turned back, with 637 sent back at the borders.
Heavy and medium goods vehicles were the second-largest category, with 172 turned back and another 20 issued challans. The enforcement teams also sent back 156 light commercial vehicles, 84 light motor vehicles, including cars, and 47 two-wheelers.
Buses accounted for the smallest category, with only three turned back on Monday.
Private cars account for most challans
The nine-day enforcement figures show that private cars accounted for the highest number of challans, with 382 penalised for violating the entry restrictions.
Two-wheelers followed with 138 challans, while 97 heavy and medium goods vehicles and 76 light goods vehicles were penalised. Buses accounted for just three of the 696 challans issued during the period.
The penalties and environmental compensation imposed on the 696 vehicles amounted to more than ₹1.39 crore. Private cars contributed the largest share, accounting for ₹76.40 lakh in penalties.
A senior Delhi Traffic Police officer said special enforcement teams had been deployed primarily at the 26 major border points that the national capital shares with Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
The officer said the drive was being conducted in coordination with multiple government agencies to curb pollution while ensuring that enforcement did not cause major traffic congestion or inconvenience commuters.
Over 7,500 vehicles penalised for lacking valid PUC certificates
Separately, traffic police data showed that 987 vehicles were caught operating in Delhi without valid Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC) on Monday.
This took the total number of vehicles caught and penalised for violating pollution certificate requirements to 7,502 since the beginning of the year.
Authorities generated fines amounting to ₹7.50 crore against these vehicles for failing to comply with the mandatory PUCC requirements.
The enforcement measures come as Delhi continues to grapple with deteriorating air quality during the winter months, when vehicular emissions, construction dust, industrial pollution and stubble burning contribute to the pollution burden.