Bengaluru: As new fines kick in, vehicles queue up at emission testing centres

Bengaluru: Long queues are seen in front of emission testing centres across the city, as motorists are making sure that they have all valid documents, including Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate, to avoid coughing up a huge amount as fine.

After the revised fine amounts for violation of traffic rules were implemented, the emission testing centres have become busy, unlike earlier, where only a handful of vehicles would visit these centres to get emission certificates.

The fear of paying hefty fines has jolted the motorists, as they have to pay Rs 1,000 if they not having a valid emission certificate.

Mr Narayanaswamy, a staffer at an emission centre in a petrol bunk in Maruthi Seva Nagar, said, “Earlier, we used to get only 5-10 vehicles, including four-wheelers, a day for the emission test. But for the past four days, we have been issuing more than 200 certificates. The big fine amount has created a fear among motorists. Every emission testing centre is crowded with vehicles waiting in queues.” He said that till now, motorists were taking the emission test lightly.

“It is a good sign that the increase in fine amount has made them realise that the emission certificate is necessary for any vehicle and it also helps in knowing whether the carbon emission is under limit,” he said.

Mr Santosh Kumar, who owns an emission testing centre, said that the cost of the test is low, but still people were refusing to get it done. “It is only when the new rules came into force that the motorists realised that it’s important.

For a two-wheeler, it is only Rs 50 and for a four-wheeler it is Rs 90. Motorists till now thought that it was a waste of money. But they should be made aware that the emission test is an important certificate to show that your vehicle’s emission is under control and the vehicle is well maintained,” he said.

A senior traffic police officer said that it is sad to see so many people getting their test done just to avoid the fine. “But at least now they are getting it done, which is a good sign. The new fines will help us crack down on vehicles that are emitting carbon beyond the permissible limits.”