Story by Bahari Duniya | Written by Disha Sharma
After Delhi, Odisha has intensified its push to curb vehicular pollution, with the State Transport Authority instructing oil marketing companies to deny petrol and diesel to vehicles lacking a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC). The move aims to ensure stricter compliance with emission norms, discourage the use of highly polluting vehicles, and improve overall air quality across the state.
The directive forms a key component of the state’s wider plan to tighten enforcement of emission regulations and cut down the overall environmental impact of road transport. By making fuel availability contingent on meeting pollution standards, officials aim to nudge vehicle owners toward timely servicing, valid certification, and greater responsibility in following clean air guidelines.
As per official records, Odisha’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 177 at 4:17 pm on December 21, placing the state’s air quality in the ‘unhealthy’ category.
Weather alerts spur swift road safety precautions
While Odisha is tightening efforts to control pollution, it is simultaneously grappling with changing weather conditions. Dense fog is expected to affect multiple districts over the next few days, leading authorities to roll out road safety advisories to minimise risks and ensure smoother movement on highways and urban roads.
Given the worsening weather conditions, the State Transport Authority (STA) of Odisha has appealed to motorists to remain extra vigilant while on the roads to avoid mishaps. Road users have been advised to slow down, use fog lamps where necessary, refrain from overtaking when visibility is poor, and keep adequate distance from other vehicles.
“Dense fog alerts have been issued by the Water Resources Department for several districts across the state. In light of these warnings, road users are being advised to remain cautious to avoid accidents,” the State Transport Authority said in a post on X.
Delhi steps up anti-pollution drive
Meanwhile, the Delhi government on Thursday stepped up its comprehensive push to tackle deteriorating air quality by rolling out the ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ campaign. The move led to a sharp rise in compliance, with more than 61,000 Pollution Under Control Certificates issued in just 24 hours.
The official statement highlighted that the government’s approach targets four key areas simultaneously: emissions from vehicles, dust generated by roads and construction sites, industrial pollutants, and the management of waste.
In a bid to further curb pollution, the capital has barred entry to non-Delhi vehicles that fail to comply with BS-6 emission norms, reflecting a strict, no-compromise stance on high-polluting vehicles entering the city.
Enhanced enforcement under GRAP-IV framework
Delhi Traffic Police have set up extensive checkpoints at the city’s entry points to enforce GRAP-IV regulations, issuing a total of 2,686 fines to date.
Additional CP Traffic Dinesh Kumar Gupta informed ANI that following the rollout of GRAP Stage-IV rules in the capital, comprehensive traffic arrangements have been maintained round-the-clock at both major and minor city borders to ensure strict adherence to the regulations.
Related Video: Bhubaneswar’s Air Quality Remains ‘Poor’, OSPCB Sounds Alarm
Gupta stated that authorities have so far issued around 2,686 fines for PUCC violations and 422 fines for non-compliant BS6 vehicles. He added that officials are actively working to increase public awareness in neighbouring states through social media campaigns and government advertisements regarding GRAP Stage-IV rules and regulations.