Maharashtra May Enforce ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ Rule to Combat Vehicular Pollution
Maharashtra to Enforce 'No PUC, No Fuel' Rule to Combat Vehicular Pollution
Vehicles without valid pollution certificate will be denied fuel at petrol pumps; QR-based PUC verification planned
MUMBAI: In a major move to tackle rising air pollution levels, the Maharashtra government is set to implement the stringent ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ policy. Under this rule, vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate will be denied fuel at petrol pumps across the state.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced the upcoming enforcement during a recent review meeting of the transport department. He highlighted that many vehicle owners are either obtaining PUC certificates fraudulently or using fake ones, contributing significantly to the state’s deteriorating air quality.
QR-Based PUC Verification System in the Pipeline
To ensure authenticity and streamline enforcement, the government plans to introduce a new QR code-based PUC certificate system. This technology will enable petrol pump attendants to instantly verify the certificate’s validity before dispensing fuel. Vehicles found without a valid certificate will be refused service.
Citizens Urged to Support Clean Air Initiatives
Minister Sarnaik emphasized the importance of public cooperation in safeguarding the environment. “It is our collective responsibility to protect the environment. If we don’t act now, future generations will suffer the consequences,” he stated.
Crackdown on Polluting Vehicles
The ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ rule is part of a broader strategy to phase out technically faulty and highly polluting vehicles from Maharashtra’s roads. By restricting fuel access to non-compliant vehicles, the government aims to significantly reduce vehicular emissions and improve the Air Quality Index (AQI) across urban and rural areas.
