The Delhi government's Transport Department, responding to the rise in vehicle numbers in the national capital, has requested that Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGL) and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (DMRC) open new Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) centres at their sites. This request follows the shutdown of PUCC centres by the Delhi Petrol Dealers' Association starting July 15, due to dissatisfaction with a proposed rate hike for pollution certificates. The dealers argued that the increase was not justified by the operational costs of running the centres.
The decision to approach DMRC and IGL for the establishment of new PUCC centres was a reaction to this strike. Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot emphasized the importance of ensuring vehicle compliance with pollution norms for improving Delhi's air quality. He stated that increasing the number of PUCC checking centres would make it more convenient for residents to have their vehicles tested and certified, and expressed appreciation for the cooperation of DMRC and IGL in this effort.
Currently, Delhi has over 900 PUCC checking centres, more than 700 of which are located at petrol stations. In 2017, the Supreme Court had mandated that all state transport departments set up PUCC centres at every fuel station. The Transport Department recently found that some centres were not adhering to this mandate, leading to orders for strict enforcement actions, including the suspension of operations for non-compliant centres.
In their letters to DMRC and IGL, the Transport Department noted a significant rise in the number of vehicles in Delhi, which has exceeded 8 million according to the Delhi Economic Survey 2022-23. This increase highlights the need for more pollution checking facilities to ensure adherence to emission standards and improve air quality. The letter to IGL proposed extending PUCC facilities to CNG stations managed by the company to meet the growing demand and provide easier access for vehicle owners.
The department also expressed a desire to collaborate with DMRC to extend pollution checking facilities to its parking stations across Delhi. It was highlighted that integrating PUCC centres within DMRC's extensive network of metro stations and parking facilities could enhance public service and promote environmental sustainability. This initiative aims to offer convenient access to PUCC certificates for metro users and contribute to reducing vehicular emissions and improving overall air quality in the city.
