Maharashtra: In an effort to curb rising air pollution in urban areas, the Maharashtra state government is drafting a new policy that would prohibit vehicles from refuelling unless they possess a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate. The move was discussed in a recent high-level meeting at Mantralaya, chaired by State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, with key officials including Joint Secretary Kiran Holkar and Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar in attendance.
The upcoming policy is designed to strictly enforce compliance with vehicle emission norms. Vehicles found without a valid PUC certificate—or those using forged or manipulated documents—will be denied access to fuel at petrol stations. The initiative reinforces the message: “No PUC, No Fuel.”
This decision comes amid growing concerns over the misuse of fake PUC certificates, which allow vehicles emitting harmful pollutants to evade regulation. To tackle this, the state plans to roll out digitally verifiable PUC certificates featuring QR codes. This will streamline the verification process for fuel station staff and reduce the risk of fraudulent documentation.
The proposed policy will rely on collaboration between the Transport Department and petrol pump operators, ensuring frontline enforcement. Authorities believe this measure will encourage vehicle owners to carry out timely emission checks and remove outdated, non-compliant vehicles from roads.
Officials state that the policy could serve as a strong deterrent against negligence and help improve air quality in Maharashtra’s congested cities. Although the plan is still in the drafting stage, it is expected to be shared with relevant stakeholders for input before formal implementation.
