Delhi sees sharp jump in PUC challans this yr

Over the years

- Alok KN Mishra

The transport department has issued nearly 163,000 Pollution Under Control (PUC) challans in 2025 so far — indicating a more than 300% jump in the monthly average from the past year, data showed.

While the data for the corresponding period in 2024 was not available, a total of 68,000 challans were issued in the entire year. In 2023, 36,000 challans were issued, 43,500 challans in 2022, and 29,500 in 2023.

The sharp rise in the number of challans issued so far this year is due to installation of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, renewed enforcement push and the government's growing reliance on digital tools such as online issuance of PUC challans using API technology linked with the Centre’s Vahan database to track and penalise violators, officials said.