Pune: The recent software upgrade and rule changes at Pollution Under Control (PUC) centres across Maharashtra have led to significant disruptions, leaving citizens struggling to obtain their necessary certificates. This issue has been particularly acute at mobile PUC centres operating out of vans, which have been facing operational difficulties for the past fortnight.
A resident of Fatimanagar reported spending two hours on Monday attempting to find a functioning PUC centre after his certificate expired. “One mobile centre in a van couldn’t provide me with a certificate, and two others in my area were closed. I eventually had to go to Shankarsheth Road. The representative there informed me that many centres are experiencing technical issues following a software upgrade,” said the resident, a working professional.
The All Maharashtra PUC Owners Association has acknowledged the widespread issues. An official from the association explained that the recent changes involve not only a software upgrade but also an alteration in the procedural rules. “Previously, only one photograph of the vehicle undergoing the PUC check was required. Now, two photographs – one from the front and one from the rear – as well as a five-second video showing both the vehicle and the PUC centre, must be taken and uploaded. The software upgrade was implemented to accommodate these changes,” the official stated.
Compounding the problem, the GPS system used by many centres has been malfunctioning, unable to accurately pinpoint the locations of the PUC centres. This technical glitch has resulted in many centres being unable to function properly. “The GPS issues have led to many centres being unable to log their locations, disrupting the entire system,” the official added, noting that 10 centres in Mumbai had to close due to these problems.
Maharashtra hosts 3,686 PUC centres, with 250 located in Pune. A PUC certificate remains valid for one year for BS-4 and BS-6 vehicles and six months for other vehicles. A senior member of the PUC Centres Owners Association criticised the lack of communication from the transport department. “The system was upgraded without prior notice, and we only became aware on June 5. The department should have ensured that Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) trained us on how to use the new version. As it stands, PUC centre owners are facing numerous issues, and motorists are suffering as a result,” he lamented.
This situation underscores the critical need for better communication and training when implementing technological upgrades, especially those affecting essential services like vehicle pollution control. The PMC and relevant authorities must address these operational challenges promptly to restore normalcy and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
