News | Delhi Environment Minister's Review Meeting Reveals 16,689 Fines Imposed on BS-III Petrol and BS-IV Diesel Vehicles

921 Construction Sites Incur ₹1.85 Crore in Penalties, Anti-Open Burning Campaign Yields 154 Challans with ₹3.95 Lakh in Fines

Delhi's Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, chaired a comprehensive review meeting with concerned officers at the Delhi Secretariat on Thursday, emphasizing the strict adherence to GRAP-IV rules. Post the meeting, Minister Rai revealed the formation of a 6-member special task force, led by the Environment Special Secretary, tasked with overseeing the proper implementation and monitoring of GRAP rules. The task force comprises key officials, including the Special Commissioner of Transport, DCP (HQ) Traffic Police, Deputy Commissioner, Revenue (HQ), and Chief Engineers of MCD and PWD. Their primary responsibility is to liaise with relevant departments daily, address challenges, and furnish implementation reports to the government.

Minister Rai acknowledged the prevailing pollution situation, stating that environmental experts anticipate the air quality to linger in the "very poor" category for the next 2 to 3 days. The review meeting also assessed actions taken against violators of GRAP rules.

Regarding the ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel LMV (4 wheelers) under GRAP-4, Minister Rai reported that 16,689 vehicles have been fined thus far. Any violation incurs a ₹20,000 penalty under the Motor Vehicle Act 1988. The Transport Department and Delhi Police have deployed 84 and 284 teams, respectively, to enforce this ban since 3rd November. Additionally, 19,227 vehicles have been fined in the PUC checking campaign, and 6,046 trucks unrelated to essential goods and services were turned away at the border. Moreover, 1,316 vehicles entering Delhi were fined.

Minister Rai shared statistics on on-site inspections of construction sites, with 3,895 sites reviewed, 921 sites penalized, and fines amounting to ₹1.85 crore imposed. A total of 591 teams are diligently monitoring construction sites across the city.

Highlighting the Anti-Open Burning campaign, Minister Rai disclosed that 611 teams are deployed, resulting in 154 challans and a fine of ₹3.95 lakh. Additionally, 2,573 acres of land in Delhi have received free Bio-decomposers, with instructions to treat remaining fields promptly.

However, the actualization of fines, especially outside the realm of vehicle penalties, is far from certain. The sluggishness of enforcement agencies allows violators to evade payment for extended periods or escape consequences altogether.

The Environment Minister urged Delhiites to report pollution-related activities through the Green Delhi app, underscoring the community's role in maintaining environmental vigilance.