Pollution certificate rates hiked in Delhi

The revised rates of pollution certificates are Rs. 60 for two/three wheelers from Rs 35 earlier, Rs. 80 for petrol and CNG four-wheelers from Rs 45, and Rs. 100 for diesel vehicles, up Rs 40. The fines imposed for not having a pollution certificate at the time of a check remains the same at Rs. 1,000 for the first offence and Rs. 2,000 subsequently. 

The Delhi government’s Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) has raised the price of pollution certificates for two reasons: first, to insert a security hologram on the certificate and secondly, to air-condition all PUCC centres in the city. The security hologram is to ensure only those vehicles that meet pollution norms are issued the certificate. It has been reported that several of the 580 PUCC centres in the city were not functioning properly. 

The cost upgrading the PUCC centres in Delhi has been passed on to the consumer. It is felt that since pollution control machinery work best in an air-conditioned environment, all PUCC centres in the city have been installed with ACs.

The PUCC department has 30 teams in the city to carry out prosecution drives, but enforcement has been minimal. In 2011, only two such drives have been carried out until now. Ideally, multiple drives should be carried out in a year to catch offenders and ensure that all road-legal vehicles meet pollution norms.