Delhi Traffic Police Issues Rs 84.98 Crore in Fines During GRAP Implementation to Combat Air Pollution

New Delhi:

Delhi Traffic Police has imposed penalties totaling over Rs 84.98 crore for Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate violations during the implementation of GRAP stages one and two from October 14 to November 18, according to officials.

This substantial amount represents 84,981 challans as per official data accessed by PTI, with each violation carrying a Rs 10,000 penalty.

The Western Range led enforcement with 22,867 PUC challans issued, followed by Southern Range with 20,554 and New Delhi Range with 13,423. Eastern Range issued 12,441 challans, while Northern Range recorded 10,211, and Central Range issued 5,485, according to official records.

Eastern Range covers East Delhi, North East Delhi and Shahdara districts, while New Delhi Range oversees New Delhi and portions of South West Delhi. Central Range encompasses North Delhi and Central Delhi areas. Northern Range includes Rohini, Outer North and North West Delhi. Western Range covers West Delhi, Dwarka and Outer Delhi, and Southern Range includes South Delhi and South West Delhi areas.

Additionally, authorities issued 2,030 challans for visibly polluting vehicles. The Southern Range accounted for 1,197 of these, Western Range for 751, and New Delhi Range for 82, as shown in the data.

"The Eastern, Central and Northern Ranges recorded none. Most visibly polluting vehicles were heavy carriers passing through the southern and western parts of the city," the data revealed. Only one overage vehicle was impounded, which occurred in the Southern Range during this period.

For uncovered construction and demolition waste, officials issued 446 challans across Delhi. Southern Range reported 257, Western Range 126, Eastern Range 27, Northern Range 19, and New Delhi Range 17, while Central Range reported none.

Traffic police diverted 4,708 non-destined trucks (those not intended for Delhi) through Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways to reduce pollution within the city. Western Range diverted 1,980 trucks, Southern Range 1,722, Northern Range 641, Eastern Range 266, and New Delhi Range 99, with Central Range recording no diversions.

"Traffic units have been instructed to stay alert at all borders and internal junctions so pollution-related movement can be controlled effectively," stated a senior officer.

During this period, traffic police also decongested 703 crowded points across the city. Southern Range cleared 392 spots, Western Range 303, Eastern Range 5, and Northern Range 3, while New Delhi and Central Ranges reported no congestion points.

Under GRAP regulations, police inspected 5,910 inter-state buses at Delhi's borders. Eastern Range conducted 2,164 checks, Western Range 1,285, Southern Range 1,205, New Delhi Range 945, and Northern Range 311, with Central Range performing none.

Of these, 5,538 inter-state buses received permission to enter Delhi, including 2,005 in Eastern Range, 1,258 in Western Range, 1,046 in Southern Range, 926 in New Delhi Range, and 303 in Northern Range.

Authorities stopped 442 inter-state buses for failing to meet GRAP conditions. Eastern and Southern Ranges each stopped 159 buses, New Delhi Range 89, Western Range 27, and Northern Range 8.

GRAP activates as an emergency response when air quality deteriorates to certain levels. It includes four progressive stages: Stage One (poor), Stage Two (very poor), Stage Three (severe), and Stage Four (severe plus), all based on Delhi NCR's Air Quality Index.

Stage One and Two measures include water sprinkling, mechanical street sweeping, increased parking fees, strict monitoring of diesel generators, and public advisories encouraging public transport use and reduced construction activities.

Stage Three halts construction and demolition work, restricts non-CNG and non-electric inter-state buses, prohibits BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles, and increases Metro services. Stage Four prevents non-essential trucks from entering the city, closes schools below Class 10, limits office attendance, restricts diesel goods vehicles below BS-VI standards, and allows only essential movement into Delhi.

The senior police officer emphasized that the force remains "fully alert across all ranges and will continue strong enforcement of GRAP restrictions so that traffic remains smooth and pollution sources are reduced through the winter season."