Cams on NH8 track emission offenders: 941 fined in 10 days

GURGAON: With GRAP-IV pollution restrictions in force, hazardous air quality, and dense winter fog severely reducing visibility ahead of the Christmas-New Year rush, the traffic police intensified enforcement across the city, issuing 941 challans between Dec 14 and 22, largely for pollution-related violations, officials said. Of these, 99 challans were issued to BS-III vehicles, 643 to restricted BS-IV diesel vehicles, and 199 under PUCC norms, underscoring a sharp focus on emission control during the peak winter pollution phase. Simultaneously, a trial of AI-based CCTV cameras on NH8 and the Dwarka Expressway, installed in coordination with NHAI, has already generated 17 online challans for expired PUCC certificates, with officials saying the system will soon automatically detect pollution violations without manual checks."The earlier system could flag document discrepancies only after a primary traffic offence was recorded. With this software upgrade, challans can now be generated solely on the basis of emission violations. Even if all documents are otherwise in order, an expired PUCC will now invite an automatic challan," a senior traffic official said.Looking ahead to the peak holiday period, authorities said heightened monitoring will remain in place during Christmas and New Year celebrations. Marshals will be deployed at designated parking zones to prevent roadside obstructions, while any vehicle found parked illegally on roads will be immediately towed to ensure smooth traffic flow. Special checkpoints will also be set up across multiple sectors to check for drunk-driving and other violations.To manage the festive surge, around 1,200 traffic personnel will be deployed across Gurgaon, with one-way traffic plans in congestion-prone markets, strict no-parking enforcement, towing under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and zero tolerance for drunk driving through surprise checks.At a traffic review meeting held on Dec 23 and chaired by the DCP (traffic), police said teams are also coordinating with civic agencies to prune trees obstructing road signage, restore non-functional streetlights, and apply retro-reflective tapes on vehicles to improve safety amid persistent fog."In coordination with the Gurgaon Police, bars and restaurants have been instructed to ensure that customers who consume alcohol do not drive themselves. Such patrons must either be accompanied by a sober companion or be provided cab facilities by the establishment. Non-compliance will invite notices and necessary action," the official added.