Bhopal: In Bhopal, a significant portion of vehicles, ranging from 35% to 40%, continue to operate on the roads without undergoing the mandatory Pollution Under Control (PUC) check. This alarming situation persists despite the presence of 130 PUC centres catering to a total of 13 lakh vehicles and regular inspections conducted by law enforcement authorities in the state capital.
Bhopal has a total of 13 lakh vehicles, including 3.17 lakh four-wheelers.
The failure to ensure compliance with PUC requirements has led to a concerning outcome: the unchecked emissions from vehicles lacking valid PUC certificates are contributing significantly to the rising levels of air pollution in the capital city.
The PUC check is a vital measure to control vehicular emissions and maintain air quality standards. It involves testing the exhaust emissions of vehicles to ensure they meet the prescribed norms set by the govt.
Vehicles that fail to pass the PUC test are required to undergo necessary repairs or face penalties. However, the current scenario in Bhopal indicates a glaring lack of awareness and responsiveness among vehicle owners regarding the importance of PUC certification.
“Many individuals continue to drive their vehicles without obtaining the necessary clearance, either due to negligence or a lack of understanding of the environmental consequences. During checking, 7-10% of vehicles are caught without PUC certificates,” said RTO Bhopal Jitendra Sharma.
The transport department and traffic police in Bhopal have been conducting regular drives to crack down on vehicles without valid PUC certificates. They have set up checkpoints at various locations across the city to inspect vehicles and issue fines to defaulters. However, the sheer number of non-compliant vehicles on the roads suggests that these efforts need to be intensified and sustained. The rising air pollution levels in Bhopal pose significant health risks to the city’s residents.
To address this pressing issue, the authorities in Bhopal must adopt a multi-pronged approach like encouraging the use of electric vehicles and improving public transport infra in the city.
