With barely a month left before stricter enforcement of Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) norms comes into effect in Odisha, vehicle owners across the state are grappling with mounting challenges due to procedural bottlenecks, inadequate infrastructure and overcrowding at testing and payment points. As enforcement agencies prepare to crack down from February 1, confusion and frustration are growing among motorists trying to comply with the mandatory requirements.
Sources said that although online payment facilities exist on paper, many vehicle owners are being asked to deposit fines offline, forcing them to visit multiple counters and service centers. This has resulted in long queues, delays and operational congestion, especially in major cities such as Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
Infrastructure Gaps Add To Compliance Pressure
Under the Motor Vehicles Act, possession of a valid PUCC, insurance and fitness certificate is mandatory for all vehicles. However, as enforcement tightens, motorists say the process of obtaining pollution certificates has become increasingly cumbersome. A major concern flagged by vehicle owners is the shortage of authorized PUCC testing centers and their uneven distribution across districts.
In several urban and semi-urban areas, mobile pollution testing vans are unable to cope with the surge in demand. Many motorists report repeated visits without success due to long queues, technical glitches and lack of clarity on procedures.
“I have been standing here for the past 30 minutes, and the queue has barely moved. Many people reach the counter only to be told to pay fines first. Then we are asked to find a Jan Seva Kendra before registering for PUCC. So many rules have left me confused,” said a two-wheeler owner waiting at a PUCC center in Bhubaneswar.
Motorists Seek Grace Period
With the deadline fast approaching, concerns are mounting over how authorities will deal with vehicle owners who are unable to complete formalities due to systemic issues rather than negligence. Many motorists feel the enforcement timeline is too tight and poorly planned.
“There should have been a time period of at least two to three months. Suddenly deciding to enforce PUCC norms and asking people to get everything done at once has created panic. Many people do not have all documents ready and need time to arrange them,” said another motorist waiting at a mobile pollution checking van in Cuttack.
Vehicle owners have also raised concerns about OTP-related technical issues and delays in certificate issuance, which further slow down the process and add to public inconvenience.
Enforcement From February 1, Government Reiterates
Despite the concerns, Transport Minister Bibhuti Jena has reiterated that enforcement action will begin from February 1 against vehicles found without valid documents. He maintained that the provisions under the Motor Vehicles Act are not new and are only being implemented more strictly to curb pollution and ensure road safety.
“A valid Pollution Under Control Certificate, insurance and fitness certification are mandatory under the Motor Vehicles Act. These provisions have existed for a long time,” the minister had said earlier, urging vehicle owners not to wait until the last moment to comply.
Green Stickers To Become Mandatory
Adding another layer to compliance, the Transport Department has announced that green stickers will become mandatory on all vehicles in Odisha from February. Vehicles found without the required sticker or documents will be liable for action once enforcement begins.
Officials have advised motorists to complete all documentation well in advance to avoid last-minute complications. However, unless infrastructure and procedural clarity improve quickly, vehicle owners fear that the rush for PUCC compliance could continue to spiral into chaos as the February 1 deadline draws closer.
