Argus News - No PUCC, No Fuel! Checking Intensified Across Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Apr 2: Odisha has intensified its enforcement of Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC) across the state, with violators facing fines of up to ₹10,000. The Transport Department has announced that the previously relaxed checking period, which lasted until March 31, has now ended, and strict inspections began on April 2.

The move comes under the directive of Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, as part of the ongoing statewide road safety campaign that started on March 21 and has now been extended until April 10. The campaign aims to reduce road accidents and improve air quality, which has been deteriorating steadily.

Authorities have emphasized that PUCC is mandatory under the Motor Vehicles Act. Currently, only about 21 percent of vehicles in Odisha possess valid pollution certificates, with widespread violations reported. To curb this, enforcement teams have been deployed across the state to conduct independent checks.

Motorists without valid PUCC stickers will not only face fines but also restrictions at petrol pumps, where fuel will be supplied only after the green sticker is displayed. The Transport Department is distributing these stickers free of cost, advising vehicle owners to affix them to their windshields.

Also read: Odisha Cancels 65,000 Driving Licenses; Collects ₹216 Crore Fines

The crackdown has already led to heavy crowds at pollution testing centers in Bhubaneswar and other cities, as vehicle owners rush to comply. While the department has proposed reducing the penalty amount, the current enforcement continues under the existing law.

Officials stress that stricter PUCC checks are essential not only for road safety but also for environmental protection.

With air quality worsening, the government has urged citizens to cooperate in ensuring cleaner transport and safer roads.