Common format of Pollution Control Certificate will soon issue across India: MoRTH

Under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules 1989, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways will now issue a standard format of the Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate across India.

A PUC Certificate is a government-issued certification of approval that is granted to your vehicle when its emission levels are recorded and confirmed to be in conformity with the authorised emission limits.

When the vehicle is on the road, the driver must have a current vehicle pollution certificate with them at all times. The exclusion of a PUC certificate of the vehicle can result in severe fines for both the driver and the owner of the vehicle.

The following are the characteristics of a Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate in India:

(a) Implementation of a standard PUC Certificate format across the nation, as well as integration of the PUC database with the National Register.

(a) For the first time, the concept of a disapproval slip is proposed. In the event that the test result value exceeds the maximum permitted value, as specified by the relevant emission regulations, the vehicle owner should be provided with a standardised type of rejection slip. This document can be displayed at the service centre when the vehicle is serviced or utilised if the PUCC centre device fails to function correctly when tested at another location.

(c) The vehicle owner's name, address, and phone number will be kept private. Then on the engine and chassis numbers (the last four digits should be displayed, the remaining digits should be hidden).

(d) The owner's contact number is now required, and an SMS alert will be sent for confirmation and payment.

(e) If the enforcement officer believes that a motor vehicle is not complying with the provisions of Emission standards, he may communicate in writing or electronically to direct the driver or any person in charge of the vehicle to submit the vehicle for testing at any of the authorised PUC testing stations.

In case if the driver or person in charge of the vehicle fails to submit the car for compliance or the vehicle fails to comply, the owner of the vehicle must pay a penalty.

And, if the owner fails to comply, the registering authority may, for reasons to be documented in writing, suspend the vehicle's registration certificate and any permits issued until a valid 'Pollution under Control' certificate is created.

(f) As a result, enforcement would be IT-enabled, allowing for improved management of polluting cars.

(g) On the form, the QR code must be printed. It will include detailed information on the PUC Centre.