The Delhi Petrol Dealers’ Association (DPDA) has announced a strike starting Monday, potentially leading to the closure of several Pollution Under Control Centres (PUCC) at fuel stations across the national capital. With around 8 million registered vehicles in Delhi, this shutdown could have significant consequences, possibly increasing vehicular pollution. Vehicles without a valid PUCC certificate face a fine of ₹10,000.

The strike is a response to the Delhi government’s recent proposal to raise the rates for pollution certificates, which the DPDA considers inadequate. The proposed hike, ranging from  ₹20 to  ₹40, will be implemented once the government notifies it. Nischal Singhania, president of the DPDA, pointed out that the last rate revision occurred 13 years ago. Since then, staff salaries have increased by 300%, and operational costs have risen significantly. According to Singhania, the proposed increase is insufficient to sustain operations.

Delhi has approximately 400 PUC centers at various petrol and diesel stations. Last week, the government increased the charges for PUC certificates. The new rates for two and three-wheelers running on petrol, CNG, or LPG (including bio-fuel) have been raised from  ₹60 to  ₹80. For four-wheelers and above in the same fuel category, the rates have increased from  ₹80 to ₹110. Diesel-powered vehicles will see rates rise from ₹100 to ₹140.

The certificate confirms that a vehicle meets emission standards. The Motor Vehicle Act stipulates that vehicle owners caught without a valid PUCC can face imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to  ₹10,000, or both. The Central Motor Vehicles Rules require every motor vehicle, including those conforming to BS-I/II/III/IV and those running on CNG/LPG, to possess a valid PUC certificate one year after the date of registration. The validity period is one year for four-wheeler BS-IV-compliant vehicles and three months for others.

In Delhi, the PUC certification process is conducted in real-time and integrated with the vehicle registration database. The DPDA noted that rates were last revised in 2011 after a six-year gap, with an increase of more than 70%. ‘The current rate hike, announced after 13 years, is merely 35%, while our operational expenses have increased multiple times, with wages alone tripling from 2011 to 2024,’ it said. 

Additionally, the DPDA highlighted that Oil Marketing Companies have started charging substantial rents from PUC centres, amounting to 10-15% of total revenue, which was not previously the case. Other operational costs for PUC centres have also drastically increased over the past 13 years.

The announcement by the Delhi Petrol Dealers’ Association (DPDA) to shut down Pollution Under Control Centres (PUCCs) highlights the pressing need for adequate rate revisions and operational support. As the city faces potential increases in vehicular pollution due to this strike, it is crucial for stakeholders to seek professional assistance to navigate such regulatory and operational challenges.

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