Bhubaneswar: In a relief to vehicle owners, the Odisha government has decided to suspend the imposition of fines for pollution norm violations at toll gates until April 1, acknowledging the practical difficulties faced by motorists in obtaining valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates.
Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena has directed the State Transport Authority (STA) to immediately halt the collection of penalties related to PUC violations, including those detected through electronic surveillance systems at toll plazas. The suspension will remain in force until the end of March.
The decision follows widespread public complaints regarding the limited availability of authorised pollution testing centres across the state, which has made timely compliance challenging for a large number of vehicle owners. Officials noted that the current enforcement environment was causing avoidable hardship, particularly for commuters in semi-urban and rural areas.
As part of the move, the state government has also initiated a review of the ₹10,000 penalty prescribed for vehicles found without a valid PUC certificate. According to official data, only around 21 per cent of registered vehicles in Odisha currently possess a valid PUC, underscoring the scale of the compliance gap.
The government has reiterated its commitment to improving air quality while ensuring that regulatory measures are implemented in a phased and citizen-friendly manner. Efforts are expected to focus on expanding testing infrastructure, simplifying procedures, and creating greater public awareness before strict enforcement resumes from April 1.
-OdishaAge
