Delhi Traffic Police issues over 1 lakh challans for missing pollution certificates
New Delhi, October 21: The Delhi Traffic Police issued over 1,50,000 challans to vehicle owners for driving without Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC) as of October 15 this year. According to the traffic police data, a total of 1,58,762 challans were issued by this date, marking a significant increase of 50,662 more than the number of challans issued during the same period the previous year.
Comparatively, during the period from January 1 to October 15, 52,388 challans were issued in 2021, while in 2022, the number surged to 1,08,100.
This year, the highest number of challans were reported in the Daryaganj circle, with a total of 6,306 issued. Following closely were Sarita Vihar with 6,254 challans, Rajouri Garden with 5,595, Shahdara with 5,442, and Tilak Nagar with 5,252, according to the provided data.
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Motorcycle riders received the most challans, totaling 69,190, followed by scooter riders at 49,219, car drivers with 33,754, and autorickshaw drivers with 1,556 challans.
In terms of previous years, 81,246 challans were issued in 2019, 69,199 in 2020, 104,369 in 2021, and 131,799 in 2022. The relatively lower number of challans in 2020 was attributed to movement restrictions imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Notably, the Delhi Traffic Police have been implementing a range of measures to address and mitigate air pollution in the city. These measures include strict enforcement of directives from various authorities such as the Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, National Green Tribunal, Commission for Air Quality Management, Central Pollution Control Board, Environment Department/Delhi Pollution Control Committee, and the Delhi government, all aimed at maintaining ambient air quality, according to an official statement.
It is mandatory for vehicles operating in India to possess a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC), and drivers are required to carry a copy of it. This requirement is in place to ensure that only vehicles complying with emission standards set by the central government are allowed on the roads. Vehicles found without a valid PUCC face a fine of ₹10,000, along with the possibility of a three-month license disqualification for the first offense, as stated in the official statement.
- With inputs from agencies
