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Officials said the Delhi transport department issued 68,000 challans for violation of pollution under control guidelines in 2024 and even fewer in 2023 at 36,000
Officials said challans related to violation of pollution under control guidelines have significantly jumped in the last few weeks. (Image: AFP/File)
In the first eight months of 2025, Delhi’s transport department has logged more than 5.95 lakh pollution challans, making it almost 2,500 per day and the highest in five years.
According to officials, challans related to violation of pollution under control (PUC) guidelines have significantly jumped in the last few weeks.
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Officials told News18 that the Delhi transport department issued 68,000 challans under this category in 2024 and even fewer in 2023 at 36,000. Separate data by the Delhi Police shows 4.6 lakh challans were issued in 2024, 2.32 lakh in 2023, and 1.64 lakh in 2022.
Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Tuesday issued a statement listing various government initiatives ahead of the implementation of the winter air pollution control action plan in the national capital. The ministry said vehicular interventions witnessed 10.86 lakh non-destined goods vehicles checked and 64,214 turned back.
“At least 4.71 lakh notices were issued and 9.48 lakh challans for unauthorised parking, with 1.28 lakh vehicles impounded and towed away and 1.98 lakh challans for violation of restriction timings,” the ministry said.
Sirsa chaired a preparatory meeting on the winter action plan for Delhi with representatives from 30 stakeholder agencies, including Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC), Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Public Works Department (PWD), Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Delhi Police, National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), Delhi Cantonment Board (DCB), and Irrigation and Flood Control Department (I&FCD).
The government discussed and covered 17 broad action points, including dust pollution control from roads and open areas, procurement and deployment of mist sprayers and water sprinklers, and deployment of 174 anti-smog guns on highrises across the city. This is to ensure the entire mechanism is ready for the peak pollution months from October to February.
Among other achievements, the department listed that 219 mist spraying systems have been installed on poles in central verges along road stretches covering 13 pollution hotspots.
“No landfill fire has occurred in 2025, heater deployments increased in RWAs with 576 issued, and 1,925 industries have shifted to cleaner fuels, with 50 more on track,” the ministry said.
The government has directed immediate steps to strengthen ‘green’ war rooms, along with complaint registration and redress systems to enable quicker responses and better public engagement.
“Our administration is committed to a proactive, round-the-clock effort against air pollution, deploying tech-based interventions like anti-smog guns, sprinklers, and web-based monitoring to ensure every corner of Delhi breathes easier,” Sirsa said.
The minister stressed on the need for all concerned departments to accelerate road repair work, construction and demolition waste removal with mandatory coverage during transit to designated dumping spots, bio-mining at landfill sites, and roadside plantation. He will visit the three landfill sites in the coming weeks to inspect bio-mining progress and ensure accountability.
Every year, with the onset of winter around October, Delhi’s air quality starts dropping and these severe conditions continue for weeks. Agencies have been instructed to complete installations and targets before the October deadline.
Last month, News18 reported that in July, Delhi saw 29 days with air quality in the ‘good’ and ‘satisfactory’ categories, which surpass even those recorded during the Covid-19 lockdown period when pollution levels had temporarily dipped. Even as Delhi recorded its cleanest July in decades, ministry officials said the city must brace for the winter’s severe pollution months.
About the Author
Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived…Read More
Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived… Read More
September 10, 2025, 07:00 IST
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