Fuel ban likely for vehicles without valid PUC, says Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik

The announcement was made during a review meeting held at Mantralaya

In a significant move to curb rising air pollution, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Monday announced plans to implement a policy that would prohibit the sale of fuel to vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate.

The proposed measure aims to crack down on technically defective and high-emission vehicles, which authorities have identified as major contributors to deteriorating air quality across the state.

The announcement was made during a review meeting held at Mantralaya with senior officials from the Motor Transport Department, including Joint Secretary Kiran Holkar and Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar.

"With the number of vehicles increasing every day, air pollution is worsening, especially from those running on conventional fuels," Sarnaik said. "While PUC certificates are mandatory, we've received complaints about fake and fraudulently issued certificates, which allow polluting vehicles to remain on the road."

To curb this malpractice, the government is planning to introduce a QR code-based PUC certification system. Fuel stations will be mandated to check the validity of the certificate through QR scanning before dispensing fuel. "No PUC, no fuel - this will be the rule," Sarnaik asserted.

He underscored the urgency of the move by pointing to alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) readings in several urban areas. "Technically defective vehicles are a significant factor in rising pollution levels. If we want to ensure clean air for future generations, stringent action is necessary," he said.

Sarnaik urged citizens to support the initiative and take shared responsibility for improving environmental conditions. "This is not just about regulation - it's about ensuring a healthier future. Cooperation from the public is crucial," he added.

Maharashtra Transport Minister Sarnaik appointed MSRTC chairman, assures quality services to citizens

The Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik was appointed as chairman of the state-run corporation Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) by the state government, two months after IAS officer Sanjay Sethi was given the post in a departure from convention, reported the PTI.

The MSRTC, in a release on Thursday, said that the Maharashtra government has appointed Pratap Sarnaik as the 26th chairman of MSRTC, as per provisions of the State Transport Corporation Act-1950 and the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation rules.

"I am committed to creating a good quality transport service by financially empowering MSRTC, which is 'lokvahini' (public carrier) of the common people of Maharashtra, in the future," Pratap Sarnaik said after his appointment, according to the PTI.

On February 5, then transport secretary Sethi, an additional chief secretary-rank officer, was made chairman of the MSRTC, instead of a public representative which had been the convention.

Sethi will continue to be on the MSRTC's board as an ex-officio member.

The MSRTC operates a fleet of around 14,000 buses, catering to some 55 lakh passengers daily, and has a workforce of about 90,000.

One of India's largest public transport undertakings, the MSRTC has been struggling with mounting losses, an ageing fleet, employee strikes, and declining ridership in recent years. To mitigate daily financial losses, the corporation enforced a 14.95 per cent fare hike earlier this year.

(With inputs from PTI)