India fines thousands of vehicles and construction sites for pollution violations

Authorities in New Delhi have fined nearly 60,000 vehicles and over 7,500 construction sites for violating pollution rules. This action comes as air quality in the region has sharply declined, with the Central Pollution Control Board reporting 'very poor' conditions. Most of the fined vehicles lacked a pollution under control certificate, and nearly 3,900 were impounded for being too old. Environmental compensation has been ordered for 597 construction sites, with 56 sites ordered to close. New Delhi has been ranked the world's most polluted major city for four consecutive years. The region typically experiences severe pollution during winter, exacerbated by emissions and smoke from nearby agricultural fires.