Integration of pollution check centres on anvil

PANAJI: Facilities for checking pollution levels of a vehicle and issuing of pollution under control (PUC) certificates for vehicles that meet emission standards are available at many spots in Goa.

But concerns regarding the inspection standards of engineers at these PUCs, has urged the transport department to integrate all the existing centres in the state with one computerised network run by Goa Electronics Limited (GEL).

“Right now, even a vehicle that is in a bad mechanical condition can be issued a certificate by any PUC centre. We were conducting surprise checks and raids to crack down on this, which will not be necessary after the integration,” a transport department official told TOI.

“The PUC centres in Goa will be totally computerised by GEL after the code of conduct is lifted. The government has in-principle approved of this integration. After this, they will give the advisory committee a demonstration of the system, following which we will start training the PUC centre’s engineers,” the official said.

The system currently practiced by PUC operators is visual and manual. In the new system, the PUC machines will have an identification code to operate, for which one must be a qualified mechanical engineer according to the central MV rules.

Sources in the department revealed that currently, anyone can operate the machine. The new system will ensure that the process starts only after the designated engineer has entered his thumb impression and given the command.

“The engineer’s thumbprint has to be compatible with the one saved in the system. Also, there will be surveillance of the centre to ensure that no PUC certificate is generated without the vehicle physically being there,” the official said.

“The department head office in Panaji will be monitoring the PUCs through CCTV cameras. Every PUC check done, and certificate issued will be recorded,” he said.

To further ensure transparency and leave no scope for tampering with the certificates issued, GEL will provide the PUC centres with certificates watermarked and hallmarked on a secure paper that cannot be tampered with. “We are, therefore, enhancing the PUC certificate rates from Rs 65 to Rs 80 for two and four-wheeler vehicles. The additional Rs 15 will go to GEL for their support, maintenance,” the official said.