Delhi Issues Over 1 Lakh PUCC Challans In 42 Days; Two-Wheelers Top Violations

As winter sets in, Delhi’s annual smog crisis has intensified once again, pushing pollution levels to severe categories and triggering strict enforcement under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Despite tighter regulations, widespread violations continue, prompting the police and administration to issue more than 1 lakh PUCC challans in just 42 days.

According to Delhi Traffic Police data cited in a Times of India report, 1,05,516 Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) penalty notices have been issued since GRAP came into effect on October 14. On average, authorities issued 23,000 challans per day.

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The report highlights that two-wheelers are the biggest violators, accounting for 82,774 challans, or 78 per cent of the total. Cars followed with 18,579 challans, making up around 20 per cent.

Delhi currently has over 1.5 crore registered vehicles, of which 66.5 per cent are two-wheelers, and 26 per cent are cars and jeeps.

The Delhi government has raised concerns over the extremely high number of unpaid PUCC challans. In a letter to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Tis Hazari Court, the Transport Department stated that over 90 per cent of such penalty notices remain unresolved, undermining enforcement efforts.

The department noted that around 75 per cent of challans issued under GRAP this year remain unpaid, calling it a “major challenge” in ensuring compliance.

Last year, 36,225 PUCC challans were issued, of which 91 per cent are still pending, the letter added. Non-compliance with PUCC norms carries a Rs 10,000 fine.

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Between October 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023, authorities issued 1,095 challans for BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicles violating GRAP restrictions. 75 per cent of these remain pending as well.

The Transport Department has urged the judiciary to establish a mechanism to expedite the clearance of all pollution-related challans without any reduction in the penalty amount.

This comes at a time when Delhi continues to grapple with severe air quality, with officials stressing that stricter compliance is critical to tackling winter pollution.