Delhi imposes ₹59 lakh penalty on construction sites amid winter pollution crackdown

The Delhi government has imposed environmental compensation (EC) of ₹59.15 lakh on construction and demolition (C&D) sites after detecting violations at 203 locations during inspections conducted in the first four days of the winter pollution restrictions.

According to official data compiled by the Delhi government's environment department, authorities inspected 1,232 construction and demolition sites between November 1 and November 4. The inspections resulted in 157 show-cause notices, 32 closure directions and financial penalties against sites found violating prescribed construction and dust-control norms.

The enforcement drive intensified on Wednesday, when officials inspected 316 locations and detected violations at 77 sites. Authorities issued 66 show-cause notices, ordered two closures and imposed environmental compensation amounting to ₹16.25 lakh on the day.

Of the 203 violations recorded since November 1, as many as 139 involved construction sites with plot areas below 500 square metres, while the remaining 64 were found at larger sites.

Construction and demolition activities face strict restrictions

The inspections are part of the Delhi government's winter action plan to curb dust pollution, which becomes a major contributor to deteriorating air quality in the national capital during the colder months.

Under the restrictions, dust-generating demolition activities and outdoor civil construction work have been prohibited from November 1 to January 31. However, essential public infrastructure projects have been exempted from the ban.

Certain finishing activities, including plumbing and electrical work, are permitted within construction sites, provided developers strictly comply with the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules and prescribed dust-prevention and control standards.

The government has also prohibited the storage or dumping of construction and demolition materials outside designated project sites. The restrictions are intended to prevent dust from spreading into surrounding areas and adding to the city's pollution levels.

The authorities are monitoring construction locations to ensure compliance, with violations attracting environmental compensation, show-cause notices and closure directions.

More than 45,000 non-compliant vehicles detected since November 1

Alongside construction-related violations, the Delhi government has intensified enforcement against vehicles entering the national capital in breach of winter pollution restrictions.

Authorities detected 10,019 vehicles on Wednesday for violating the ban on non-Delhi registered vehicles that do not meet BS-VI emission standards. This took the cumulative number of vehicles detected since November 1 to 45,601.

Of these, 8,893 vehicles have been turned back at Delhi's borders, while 316 have been issued challans and 110 impounded. The total fines imposed under the enforcement drive have reached ₹22.08 lakh.

On Wednesday alone, enforcement teams turned back 2,975 vehicles, issued challans to 89 and impounded two.

The restrictions, which will remain in force until January 31, apply to vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI emission standards. CNG and electric vehicles are exempt from the restrictions.

2,685 vehicles challaned for not having valid pollution certificates

The transport department and Delhi Traffic Police have also stepped up action against vehicles operating without valid Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC).

On Wednesday, authorities issued 914 challans for violations related to PUCC requirements. This took the cumulative number of challans issued since the enforcement drive began to 2,685.

The total fines imposed for these violations have reached ₹2.68 crore.

The enforcement measures are part of the Delhi government's broader winter pollution-control strategy, which seeks to tackle vehicular emissions, construction dust and other sources of pollution through stricter monitoring and penalties.

Additional construction curbs planned across Delhi-NCR

The Centre has also announced a separate 15-day restriction on construction and demolition activities across Delhi-NCR from November 5 to November 20, covering a period when winter pollution is expected to intensify.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has directed authorities to enforce the restrictions across the region, with specified exemptions for essential projects and services.

Delhi's winter pollution-control measures are being implemented under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The government has said the restrictions and enforcement drives are aimed at reducing dust emissions, controlling vehicular pollution and preventing further deterioration in air quality during the winter months.