Bhubaneswar: Odisha will begin strict enforcement of ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ rule from January first week to curtail vehicular pollution and ensure strict compliance with emission norms.
The enforcement drive will coincide with the National Road Safety Month during which checks will be intensified across the state.
“Vehicle owners without a valid Pollution Under Control certificate will be denied fuel. This decision was taken following discussions with oil marketing companies and petrol dealers. All fuel outlets will display banners informing customers about the PUCC requirement. Additionally, from January 1 to January 31 next year, we will observe National Road Safety Month, during which inspections will be intensified. We still have 10-12 days, veh
icle owners can avail the certificate till then,” said Commissioner-cum-Chairman, State Transport Authority (STA), Amitabh Thakur.
Driving without a PUC can cost motorists Rs 10,000.
Besides raising awareness through display banners, all fuel stations have been directed to set up AI-enabled Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to verify vehicles’ PUC certificates and implement the “no PUC, no fuel” rule. “Until the cameras are fully operational, authorised emission testing centres have been directed to affix stickers on vehicles indicating the PUC validity period,” the transport commissioner noted.
Unlike standard CCTV, ANPR cameras are linked directly to the national VAHAN database.
Thakur further mentioned that the STA has issued strict warnings to testing centres against engaging in any malpractice. “Recently, seven centres were shut down for issuing fraudulent PUC certificates to customers,” he added.
Additionally, starting next month, the STA plans to observe Zero Tolerance Days every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday to crack down on various traffic offences, including drunk driving.