In a bid to tackle rising vehicular pollution, the Maharashtra government is considering a policy that would ban fuel refills for technically unfit vehicles contributing to air pollution. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced that a policy enforcing this restriction will soon be introduced, aiming to prevent such vehicles from refueling at petrol pumps.
The announcement came during a meeting held at the Mantralaya with senior officials from the Motor Transport Department, including Joint Secretary Kiran Holkar and Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar on Tuesday.
Minister Sarnaik highlighted the growing number of vehicles on the roads, particularly those using conventional fuels, as a major cause of air pollution. Despite the requirement for all vehicles to carry valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates, there have been numerous complaints about fake or fraudulently issued documents, allowing unfit vehicles to continue operating.
"To address this issue, the government plans to introduce a new system featuring QR code-based PUC certificates. Under the proposed "No PUC, No Fuel" rule, fuel stations will be required to verify a vehicle’s pollution certificate before refueling, ensuring only vehicles meeting emission standards are serviced" he said.
The minister noted the alarming drop in Air Quality Index (AQI) levels, attributing it largely to pollution from unfit vehicles. He stressed the need for urgent and responsible action to protect the environment, urging citizens to prioritize clean air for future generations.
