Delhi government is taking steps towards providing a big relief regarding traffic challans. The government is seriously considering waiving off old traffic challans issued by Delhi Police and Enforcement Department under the amnesty scheme. According to sources, the file related to this proposal has been sent to the Lieutenant Governor (LG) for approval and soon it can be placed in the Delhi Cabinet meeting. If the green signal is given by the cabinet, then lakhs of drivers can get a big relief.
The government believes that long pending traffic challans are not only a burden for the common people but are also putting pressure on the system. Through the amnesty scheme, an attempt can be made to settle old cases at one go, so that people can also return to the system to follow the rules.
What is the amnesty scheme?
Delhi’s Amnesty Scheme is a proposed government scheme, under which old traffic challans issued by Delhi Police and traffic enforcement agencies will be waived off. Its purpose is to eliminate the burden of lakhs of pending challans, which have been stuck in the system for years and whose recovery has become almost impossible. Under this scheme, common people can get a chance to clear their old challans without paying fine or on limited conditions, which on one hand will provide relief to the citizens and on the other hand the government will be able to clean the records. At present this proposal is at the file level, which can be implemented after the approval of the Lieutenant Governor and Delhi Cabinet.
More strictness increased during pollution campaign
In recent times, the government had increased both the speed and strictness regarding air pollution in Delhi. Under the joint surveillance campaign, traffic police, municipal corporation, DPCC and other agencies together took action on a large scale. Challans were issued for 11,776 vehicles in a single day, which made it clear that a zero tolerance policy was adopted regarding the rules.
Not only traffic, but work was also done simultaneously on dust and garbage control. According to government data, 12,164.88 metric tonnes of waste was collected to reduce dust generated from landfills and open waste. To control road dust, 2,068.81 km of roads were cleaned with machines and water was sprinkled on 1,830 km of roads. Apart from this, anti-smog guns were used in 5,528 km area, while 160 anti-smog guns were deployed at construction sites.
Effect of no PUC, no fuel rule
The effect of the No PUC, No Fuel system implemented to deal with pollution was also immediately visible. After the implementation of this system, a large number of vehicle owners got Pollution Control Certificate (PUCC) made. More than 61,000 PUCCs were issued between December 17 and 18 alone, showing that the rules brought immediate action.
Despite this, action continued against those who violated the rules. Challans were issued to 3,746 vehicles in the first 24 hours. Intensive checking was done at all major border points of Delhi, where around 5,000 vehicles were stopped. Of these, 568 vehicles were turned back for breaking rules and 217 non-destination trucks were diverted towards the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways. Clear instructions were also given to petrol pumps not to provide fuel to any vehicle without valid PUCC.
