The traffic police in Delhi are taking significant steps to tackle the rising pollution levels in the city. From October 1 to December 11, they have issued challans to over 2.80 lakh vehicles that lack valid PUC (Pollution Under Control) certificates.
This crackdown has led to the recovery of an impressive Rs 280 crore from these fines, and in total, around 5.03 lakh vehicle owners have faced penalties this year. If someone is caught driving without a PUC certificate, they can be fined as much as Rs 10,000, which is quite a hefty amount.
Confiscation of Old Vehicles
In addition to issuing fines, the police have also targeted older vehicles that contribute significantly to pollution. Specifically, petrol vehicles that are over 10 years old and diesel vehicles older than 15 years are being confiscated. So far, the authorities have seized 8,509 such vehicles in this ongoing campaign.
Since the introduction of the Phased Response Action Plan (GRAP) on October 15, there has been a surge in the number of challans issued—2.74 lakh in just that short period—due to the absence of PUC certificates. The objective behind these strict measures is to combat the growing pollution problem in Delhi, as driving without a PUC certificate only exacerbates the situation.
The Importance of PUC Certificates
It’s essential to understand why a PUC certificate is mandatory for all vehicles. This document certifies that a vehicle adheres to the required pollution standards, thereby helping to minimize harmful emissions. The PUC certificate indicates the amount of smoke emitted by a vehicle, and if the levels are too high, repairs are necessary.
Old vehicles are particularly concerning because they tend to pollute more, which is why the police are focusing on confiscating them. By enforcing these regulations, there is hope that pollution levels in Delhi will decrease. It’s also crucial for vehicle owners to comply with the rules and obtain a valid PUC certificate to protect both their health and the environment.
