Argus News - PUC Enforcement Deadline Extended by Odisha STA, You Must Know These Rules Before Going for Test

Bhubaneswar, Dec 24: The State Transport Authority (STA), Odisha, has deferred the implementation of its decision to deny fuel to vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate, extending the deadline from December 31, 2025, to January 31, 2026, officials said on Wednesday.

The decision, earlier scheduled to come into effect from January 1, was postponed after authorities reviewed difficulties faced by vehicle owners in obtaining pollution certificates. The extension was granted at the direction of Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, officials said.

During the extended period, vehicle owners have been advised to complete pollution checks in accordance with provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act. Officials said the move is aimed at preventing inconvenience to the public and allowing sufficient time for compliance.

The transport department clarified that no petrol pump can refuse fuel to any vehicle on the grounds of non-availability of a PUC certificate before February 1. Authorities also said a statewide awareness campaign on the importance of pollution certification will be carried out during this period.

To ensure public convenience, discussions have been held with oil companies and dealer associations, and it has been decided to conduct widespread awareness campaigns for 15 days.

Steps to Locate the Nearest PUC Testing Centre
Vehicle owners can follow these simple steps:

• Visit the official PUC portal: https://puc.parivahan.gov.in/puc/views/PUCCenterList.xhtml
• Select Odisha from the list of states.
• Choose the Regional Transport Office (RTO) relevant to your area.
• The portal will display a list of authorised PUC testing centres under the selected RTO, along with their addresses.

This service ensures pollution checks are conducted only at approved centres, reducing confusion for motorists.

E-Challan Clarification
Addressing concerns over pending e-challans, the department clarified that restrictions on pollution testing apply only if an e-challan remains unpaid for more than 90 days, as per Central Motor Vehicle Rules (Rule 167). Vehicles with e-challans pending for less than 90 days will face no restrictions in obtaining a valid pollution certificate.

Additionally, under the One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme, rebates are being offered on pending e-challans up to July 31, 2025. Payments can be made online through the Parivahan portal.

Guidelines for Vehicle Owners
The department advised motorists to get pollution tests conducted only at authorised centres, the list of which is available on the Parivahan website. Certificate validity can also be checked through the mParivahan app. Vehicle owners have been urged to ensure a valid pollution sticker is affixed and to remain alert against fake certificates.

Citizens were also advised to keep their mobile numbers updated in vehicle registration records through the Vahan portal.

The Transport Department appealed to citizens to cooperate in protecting the environment and ensuring road safety. For assistance, the public can contact the 24-hour toll-free helpline at 1800-345-1073.

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Legal Basis for Fuel Restriction
On December 20, the STA had directed oil marketing companies not to supply petrol or diesel to vehicles without a valid PUC certificate starting from January 1, 2026, citing Section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, read with Rule 115 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The authority stated that operating a vehicle without a valid PUC constitutes an offence under the law.