Green PUCC sticker not mandatory: Odisha Transport Minister

The Odisha Transport Department clarified on Saturday that affixing a green PUCC validity sticker on vehicles is not mandatory, seeking to address confusion among vehicle owners following recent announcements. 

Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena said the green sticker is only meant as an indicator and does not impose any obligation or financial burden on the public.

Speaking on the issue, the minister said adequate quantities of green stickers would be supplied to all Regional Transport Offices (RTOs within the state during the current month. He also made it clear that no fee would be charged for the sticker and vehicle owners need not worry unnecessarily.

Clarification On Green Sticker Requirement

The clarification comes days after the Transport Department announced that green PUCC validity stickers would be made available from January 10 for vehicles holding a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC). The department subsequently reiterated that the sticker system is facilitative in nature and not compulsory.

Officials said the green sticker is intended to help easily identify vehicles that comply with emission norms and possess a valid PUCC, but it does not attract penalties for vehicles that do not display it.

Availability At RTOs And Verification Process

As per departmental guidelines, vehicle owners who already possess a valid PUCC will be eligible to collect the green sticker from their respective RTOs. Dedicated counters will be opened at all RTOs to streamline the process and avoid inconvenience to the public.

Before issuing the sticker, RTO officials will verify the PUCC details, vehicle registration particulars and records available in the VAHAN database. Vehicle owners will be required to produce the original or digital PUCC, a copy of the Registration Certificate and a valid identity proof at the time of collection.

Implementation Timeline Explained

The Transport Department has fixed January 10, 2026, as the cut-off date for implementation of the PUCC validity sticker system. Vehicles that obtained their PUCC up to January 9, 2026, will receive the green sticker from the concerned RTO.

Also Read: Green PUCC stickers to be available from January 10 via dedicated counters at all RTOs in Odisha

For vehicles tested on or after January 10, 2026, the green sticker will be issued directly by authorised PUC testing centres at the time of emission testing.