ETMs to become mandatory

This was recommended to the state government by the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). Regional transport commissioner P. Paneervel said IOC’s suggestions were welcome, and that a government directive was on its way.

Indian Oil Corporation has also recommended that the price of pollution under control (PUC) certificates be raised from Rs 15 to Rs 25, as it will allow fuel stations to recover the cost of the Rs 1.25 lakh machines faster. In Mumbai and some other cities motorists pay Rs 50 for a pollution-under-control certificate valid for six months.

“The Indian Oil Corporation has already made it mandatory for the 484 fuel stations it supplies to have the machines,” said its chief divisional manager Amrish Kapoor. “But a directive from the state government can make this mandatory for all fuel stations”, he added.

He said if the directive comes, motorists would no longer be able to complain that it was difficult to get pollution-under-control certificates, and the government would be able to crack down on vehicular pollution.

Kapoor said fuel stations had also been warned not to issue pollution-under-control certificates after fudging emission readings. Cheaters would be penalised.

Indian Oil Corporation has also teamed up with the transport department for an advertisement campaign on checking vehicular pollution. It is slated to begin mid-October.

Paneervel said that a statewide inspection of vehicles for pollution-under-control certificates would begin in January. He had a stern warning for fuel-stations found to have issued pollution-under-control certificates with fudged readings. “This will no longer be allowed. We will put an end to this practice,” he said.