shift from generating awareness about the environment during its trial run to relentless prosecution during its second phase resulted in a monumental increase in the number of fines issued to violators on the first day of the road-rationing policy.
As many as 109 drivers were slapped with a Rs. 2,000 fine every hour during the enforcement of the scheme between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday — compared to just 28 during the same 12-hour period on January 1, when the scheme made its debut
While Delhi Traffic Police personnel were hardly seen the first few days of the scheme in January, the combined efforts of the enforcement teams this time around resulted in 1,311 drivers being fined on Friday — compared to 340 on January 1.
Enforcement teams constituted by the Delhi government — up from 110 in January to 120 this time — issued fines to 427 drivers, while the total number of violators challaned by the Traffic Police stood at 884.
According to the Traffic Police, the Central range recorded 159, New Delhi district 92, Central district 67, Eastern range 103, East district 74, North east district 29, Northern range 70, North district 70, Outer range 105, North west range 58, Outer range 47, Southern range 271, South range 165, South east range 106, Western range 176, West range 91 and South west range 85 fines.
“That there would be relentless prosecution this time around had been made clear even before the scheme was formally notified by the government; restrictions entailed by the provisions of the scheme must be enforced immaculately if actionable data related to its effect on both congestion and pollution levels is to be analysed and recorded,” said a senior government official.
As was the case with its trial phase during the first half of January this year, the real test of the scheme will begin on Monday.
A senior government official said staff from various departments will analyse data on fines levied, pollution levels and revenue generated.
