Gurgaon: Police continued enforcing Delhi’s anti-pollution restrictions on Monday. A day after massive traffic congestion at the Sirhaul border left thousands of Delhi-bound commuters stranded for hours, BS-IV vehicles were turned back at checkpoints near Sirhaul toll plaza and Shankar Chowk and were diverted towards Udyog Vihar. Traffic personnel deployed at Sirhaul toll plaza said around 50 pollution-related challans were issued during Monday’s checking drive.Vehicles falling under the BS-IV category were not allowed to proceed towardsthe national capital in view of the restrictions that came into force on Nov 1 to curb air pollution. Instead of impounding them, police personnel directed the motorists towards Udyog Vihar, from where they could return without entering Delhi. Police teams were also stationed at the Shankar Chowk checkpoint on the Gurgaon side to scrutinise vehicles before they proceeded towards Delhi.“We are not impounding vehicles, but those falling under the restricted category are not being allowed to enter Delhi and are being diverted towards Udyog Vihar. Challans are being issued for violations related to pollution documents as per the directions of senior officers. The checking is being conducted at all Gurgaon-Delhi border points, including Sirhaul and Aya Nagar, to curb air pollution,” traffic police personnel deployed at the Sirhaul checkpoint said.Unlike Sunday, when extensive barricading and vehicle checks triggered massive congestion on the Delhi-bound carriageway of the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway, traffic movement remained smooth on Monday. Police personnel were seen stopping vehicles along the side of the main carriageway for checks, allowing other traffic to continue moving.On Sunday, long queues of vehicles had stretched from IFFCO Chowk towards the Sirhaul border, leaving commuters struggling to cover even short distances. Buses, cars, two-wheelers and commercial vehicles were caught in the gridlock as multiple barricades and checking points were put in place on the Gurgaon side.The restrictions are part of Delhi’s anti-pollution measures, under which vehicles not meeting the prescribed emission norms are barred from entering the capital. Police have continued checks at key entry points to ensure that vehicles covered by the restrictions do not cross into Delhi.
