The traffic police started a surprise check of auto-rickshaws along with other routine checks on Friday. The drive was conducted at Sakchi for several hours. Overloading was the focus along with pollution.The cops checked whether the driver concerned had a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC), otherwise slapped a penalty of Rs 1,000 on the spot. Over 30 auto-rickshaws faced the wrath and had to cough up on-spot fines of Rs 1000 each during the crackdown. The police also checked overloading. The traffic police officials said that traffic cops had been directed to check the pollution certificates from individual vehicles as well as commercial vehicles. "The drive is aimed at keeping a check on the pollution level at the minimum by taking action against the polluting vehicles," said an official. There are around 25,000 autos which are plying on various routes in city roads carrying more than 2 lakhs commuters each day. According to data available with the regional office of Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board, respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) in the city ranges between 190Âµg/m3 and 200Âµg/m3, way above 100Âµg/m3, the permissible limit specified for residential areas under the national ambient air quality standards.

During the drive, first time offenders in both pollution certificates and pressure horn will have to pay Rs 1000 as fine which would be doubled in case of second time offenders. In case of violation for third time the fitness permit of the vehicle would be cancelled. The transport department will have a database of the offenders. As per the plans the drive will be carried out to check the rising level of pollution in the city. During the next phase focus will be on heavy vehicles like trucks, trailers and buses which add to the level of air pollution to greater extent.

Crackdown on auto-rickshaws in Sakchi; several fined