In order to rein in polluting vehicles in the city, the Delhi Government’s Transport Department will launch an intensive drive from next week. Vehicles not carrying Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC) would be prosecuted.
Every motor vehicle after the expiry of one year from the date of its initial registration is required to carry a valid PUC certificate issued by an authorised agency.
“A special drive would be launched from April 24. The Enforcement Department officials would be on the ground across the city to prosecute vehicles not carrying the PUC certificate. The offence of not carrying a valid PUC certificate attracts a penalty of Rs.1,000 for the first offence and Rs.2,000 for the second and subsequent offences,” a Transport Department official said.
Pollution checking facilities are available at 663 centres at the petrol pumps and authorised workshops. All motor vehicles have to get the pollution certificate renewed every three months.
While the Transport Department has conducted such drives in the past, it has failed to make much of an impact due to the lack of manpower in the Enforcement Department. Sources said the total headcount in the Enforcement is under 100.
“There are around 75 lakh registered vehicles in the city. It is difficult for the existing work force to enforce the norms. Moreover, the department has other task at hand too. Therefore, special drive is conducted to make people comply with the norms,” an official said.
