Bhubaneswar, Dec 22: Vehicle pollution testing centres across Odisha are witnessing heavy crowds after the Transport Department issued a directive linking fuel supply to pollution certificates.

According to the notice, from December 20 onwards, vehicles without valid pollution certificates will not be allowed to purchase petrol or diesel at fuel stations.

The announcement has triggered a rush among vehicle owners, who are lining up at testing centres to obtain their Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates. Long queues have been reported in several districts, with many motorists expressing concern over delays and limited testing facilities.

In light of the directive, a crucial meeting has been scheduled at 5 PM Monday at the Bhubaneswar RTO office. Senior officials from the Transport Department, representatives of oil companies, and members of the dealers’ association will participate. The meeting will focus on the implementation mechanism, challenges, and coordination required to enforce the new rule effectively.

Officials are expected to discuss how fuel stations will verify certificates, the role of digital systems, and measures to prevent inconvenience to the public. The directive aims to curb vehicular pollution and ensure compliance with environmental standards.

While authorities emphasize the importance of reducing emissions, vehicle owners are urging the government to expand testing facilities and streamline the process to avoid chaos. The outcome of Monday’s meeting will likely determine how strictly the directive will be implemented and whether additional measures will be introduced to ease the transition.