PUCC deadline extension: Shortage of testing centres fuels public anger

Even after the Odisha government granted an extension for obtaining Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC) till March 31, problems faced by common citizens show no signs of easing. With lakhs of vehicles due for pollution checks and a limited number of testing centres, public frustration continues to mount across Odisha.

Adding to the concern, the burden of pending fines has intensified the hardship for motorists.

77L E-Challans Pending

According to official data, nearly 77 lakh e-challans remain unpaid in the state, amounting to approximately Rs 1,300 crore. Of these, only about 5 lakh challans have been recovered so far, raising concerns over the effectiveness of the enforcement mechanism and the recovery process.

Also Read: Odisha govt extends PUCC deadline till March 31

Scenes of distress are being reported daily from various districts. In many places, people are lining up hours in advance at PUCC centres, while others are forced to wait for long periods for pollution testing. In Berhampur, long queues of two-wheelers, cars, and autorickshaws were seen outside a single testing centre, with vehicle owners abandoning their daily work to secure certificates.

Shortage Of Testing Facilities

The shortage of testing facilities has emerged as a major concern. Despite nearly one crore vehicles plying on Odisha roads, most of them two-wheelers, the state has only about 600 registered PUCC centres. Many vehicle owners are also facing technical issues, such as OTP failures, adding to the delays.

While challans can be paid online, crowds continue to swell at RTO offices for offline clearance of fines. From morning till evening, PUCC centres remain overcrowded, prompting public demand for the immediate opening of additional testing facilities.

The state government has announced that enforcement of PUCC norms and vehicle checking will become stricter from March 31. However, serious questions remain over whether the existing infrastructure can handle the volume of vehicles within the stipulated timeframe.