Delhi Imposes Strict Winter Pollution Curbs as Air Quality Worsens

Delhi authorities enforced wide-ranging winter pollution restrictions on Sunday, deploying enforcement teams to check vehicle emissions, halt construction work and penalize rule breakers across the capital.

The initial enforcement drive resulted in penalties and environmental compensation totaling 68.4 lakh rupees after teams inspected nearly 15,000 vehicles, turned back 1,539 units at border points and issued 566 challans.

The emergency measures coincided with a sharp deterioration in air quality, as the city confronted its highest pollution levels in nine months and authorities prepared for further restrictions under regional action plans.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said in a statement on social media that officials inspected numerous locations during the first day of operations.

"Today 14,930 vehicles checked, 566 PUC challans and 300 sites inspected. Keep PUC valid, follow entry rules and dust norms. The quest for clean air needs our collective efforts," said Sirsa.

The restrictions bar petrol and diesel motor vehicles registered outside Delhi that fail to meet strict emission standards from entering the city, though electric, compressed natural gas and emergency vehicles are exempt.

Intensified checks at interstate entry points triggered long traffic queues and severe congestion on major roads connecting the capital to neighboring states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, according to The Times of India.

Authorities also targeted dust pollution at building sites, inspecting 300 locations and issuing 17 closure directions alongside 19 show-cause notices for various violations.

Government and private offices in the city were directed to implement a 50 percent work-from-home mandate, while parking charges at municipal lots were doubled to discourage private vehicle use.

The strict seasonal curbs will remain in force for varying periods through February 28, while broader vehicle entry bans are scheduled to run until January 31.