The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is in the process of making a significant change in the Pollution Under Control (PUC) certification system for vehicles, which is likely to involve geo-tagging of testing centres, encryption of emissions data and ensuring greater transparency in the system to prevent malpractices during the winter pollution season.
The change is part of a larger initiative to tighten up vehicle emission monitoring and enforcement, officials familiar with the plans said to Hindustan Times.
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Emission testing to be a more efficient and reliable process
The upgraded PUC system is supposed to overcome the shortcomings of the current certification system, according to officials quoted by Hindustan Times. Geo-tagging will verify the exact location emission tests are carried out and encrypted digital records will help to minimise the risk of tampering or fraudulent certificates.
These enhancements will enhance the authenticity of PUC certificates and help in more accurate tracking of vehicle emissions, especially during the winter season when air pollution peaks in certain Indian cities.
Ways to learn from real-world emissions testing
The initiative by the government has come in the wake of learning from Real Driving Emissions (RDE) tests, which were implemented since the implementation of BS-VI emission norms. In doing so, RDE is a more representative test of vehicle emissions compared to laboratory tests, as it takes into consideration variables like traffic, road gradients and driving behaviour.
Data gathered under the RDE testing has helped in developing the proposed emission norms for the upcoming BS-VII, which the government aims to notify later this year to give manufacturers enough time to meet the norms.
The enforcement of the regulations is increased before winter
The upcoming PUC changes fall under a larger-picture initiative to tackle India's air pollution situation in advance of the winter season when polluted air quality often gets worse due to low wind speeds. The government will make monitoring emissions more robust and difficult to manipulate by using digital safeguards and more robust monitoring.
Amidst acknowledging the need to improve the current PUC system to better assist in pollution control efforts. The agency will strive to enhance its capabilities in order to better serve the needs of the public.
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FAQs
Q1. What changes are planned for the PUC system?
Ans: The centre suggests that testing centres be geo-located, emissions data be encrypted and tightened up, and that digital monitoring be increased.
Q2. What is the reason behind government upgrading the PUC system?
Ans: The main reason behind the PUC system upgradation is to prevent pollution control fraud and enhance pollution control before winter, to increase the accuracy of the emission test.
