Over 16,800 Non-BS-VI Vehicles Turned Away from Delhi in First Nine Days of Pollution Crackdown

At least 16,827 vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI emission standards and are neither CNG-powered nor electric have been turned back at the Capital’s borders during the first nine days of a traffic restriction introduced to combat winter air pollution, senior traffic police officials said.

The restrictions, which came into effect on November 1 under Delhi’s winter action plan, prohibit the entry of non-Delhi-registered vehicles below BS-VI emission standards from November 1 to January 31.

A senior traffic police officer said special enforcement teams comprising Delhi Traffic Police, the Transport Department, Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and other agencies had been deployed to implement the restrictions.

The teams are primarily stationed at 26 major border crossings connecting Delhi with Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

Officials said enforcement was being conducted in a manner that would minimise traffic congestion and inconvenience to commuters.

Over 1,000 vehicles turned back on Monday

On Monday, authorities inspected 7,551 vehicles at Delhi’s borders and turned back 1,099, while 32 vehicles were issued challans.

Vehicles that were not destined for Delhi accounted for the largest category, with 637 turned back.

Heavy and medium goods vehicles were the second-largest category, with 172 denied entry and another 20 issued challans.

Authorities also turned back 156 light commercial vehicles, 84 light motor vehicles, including cars, and 47 two-wheelers. Buses accounted for the smallest category, with just three turned away.

Private cars account for most challans

Between November 1 and 9, authorities issued a total of 696 challans for violations of the restrictions on non-Delhi vehicles below BS-VI standards.

Private cars accounted for the highest number, with 382 challans, followed by 138 two-wheelers, 97 heavy and medium goods vehicles and 76 light goods vehicles. Only three buses were fined during the nine-day period.

The penalties and environmental compensation imposed through these 696 challans exceeded ₹1.39 crore. Private cars contributed the largest share, accounting for ₹76.40 lakh.

Over 7,500 vehicles penalised for lacking valid PUCC

Separately, Delhi Traffic Police intensified action against vehicles operating without valid Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC).

On Monday alone, 987 vehicles were caught and penalised for violating PUCC requirements, taking the total number of such vehicles penalised this year to 7,502.

According to traffic police data, fines amounting to ₹7.50 crore have been generated against these vehicles for failing to comply with pollution certification requirements.

The enforcement measures form part of Delhi’s broader winter strategy to tackle deteriorating air quality by restricting high-emission vehicles and tightening checks on vehicular pollution.