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Govt drafting proposal to cut fuel supply to polluting vehicles: Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik

Marahtra proposes a crackdown on polluting vehicles

As Mumbai's air quality deteriorates, government plans to take action (File)

In order to check vehicular pollution in cities, the Maharashtra government is drafting a proposal to cut fuel supply to vehicles that are technically unfit or don’t have valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates, state Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a review meeting in Mantralaya with transport department officials, including joint secretary Kiran Holkar and transport commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar, Sarnaik said, “Proposal for a strict policy is underway. Vehicles not conforming to pollution standards or running with bogus or tampered PUC certificates will not be permitted to refuel. The message is clear — No PUC, No Fuel.”

There have been complaints of fake certificates being issued, enabling polluting vehicles to ply on roads. “To prevent this malpractice, we will soon introduce pollution certificates with QR codes. This will facilitate authenticity and enable easier verification at fuel outlets,” Sarnaik added.

The policy, if introduced, will be regulated by the state Transport Department jointly with petrol pump operators. The policy will act as a deterrent for vehicle owners who avoid timely maintenance or utilise old vehicles that do not conform to emission standards.

Emphasising people’s role in addressing air pollution, Sarnaik said, “It is the responsibility of every citizen to help maintain environmental balance. Our generation must think about the next. To ensure they inherit clean air, we must act now to control air pollution. Enforcing such strict regulations has become essential.”
An official date of rollout is yet to be confirmed for the policy that would come into force in stages.

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