No petrol without a PUCC in 35 Delhi-NCR districts starting October 1; keep these 5 things in mind for the pollution check..
Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) Online Verification: To curb air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region, the administration and the Transport Department have decided to implement very strict regulations starting October 1st. Consequently, petrol or diesel will no longer be available at fuel stations in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Faridabad without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC).
If you are planning to get a pollution check certificate for your car, bike, or any other vehicle, avoid the five major mistakes listed below to steer clear of fake certificates, incorrect online entries, and hefty fines of ₹10,000.
Avoid these 5 mistakes during the pollution check:
Getting the check done at an unauthorized or fake center
Mistake: Obtaining a PUCC from an unauthorized roadside tent or an unrecognized shop. Correct approach: Always get the check done at pollution testing centers officially registered and recognized by the Transport Department so that your data is updated online on government servers.
Paying more than the government-mandated rates
Mistake: Paying arbitrary charges to the center operator due to a lack of knowledge about fixed rates. Correct approach: The government has fixed pollution check fees based on the vehicle type and the fuel used (petrol, diesel, or CNG). Pay only the official rate and ask the operator for a computer-generated, valid receipt.
Not checking the status immediately on the mParivahan app.
Mistake: Simply taking the paper certificate without verifying whether the data has been uploaded online. Correct approach: Immediately after receiving the certificate, open the mParivahan or eChallan app on your phone and enter your vehicle number. Check if the new PUCC is visible online. If it does not appear updated in the app, the traffic police may consider it invalid and issue a challan (fine).
Ignoring the RPM reading while revving the engine
Mistake: Not paying attention to the screen during the testing process. Correct approach: When the operator revs the vehicle (accelerates), the RPM reading updates in real-time on the computer screen. Therefore, ensure that the operator records the actual smoke level only after correctly inserting the probe into the silencer and revving the engine.
Obscuring the number plate from the live camera
Mistake: Parking the vehicle at an angle that causes the number plate to appear blurred or hidden.
Correct approach: Modern pollution testing systems are fully digital and linked to live webcams. Your vehicle's number plate must be clearly visible directly in front of the camera. A valid, system-generated certificate is issued only when the camera captures a clear image.
₹10,000 fine for driving without a PUCC
Under the Motor Vehicles Act, driving without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) can attract a hefty fine of ₹10,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both. Additionally, apart from the fine, the driver's license may be cancelled or suspended.
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