In the last six years in national Capital over 7000 buses have been challaned for flouting pollution norms. A majority of these buses were from Delhi's neighbouring State Uttar Pradesh followed by Rajasthan. The information regarding the same was given by Delhi Government Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot in the ongoing session of the State Assembly.
“A total of 7,219 buses were challaned for not having valid pollution under check (PUC) certificates, from 2012-13 till February 2018,” said Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot during the ongoing session of the Assembly.
According to the rules, the fine for not having a valid PUC is Rs 1,000.While the State Transport Authority of Delhi has no power to cancel permits of buses from other States violating norms in the city under the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988. The Transport Department corresponds with their counterparts in other States in case offending buses belong to Government undertakings.
As per a joint agreement among States sharing the National Capital Region (NCR), it is mandatory that buses entering Delhi are run on CNG.
The highest number of buses, 3,328, that were challaned for the lack of valid PUC certificates, came from Uttar Pradesh, followed by 2,064 from Rajasthan. While the number of buses booked for violating pollution norms in Delhi during the same period was just 643.
According to the transport Minister, action against buses causing pollution picked up manifold in last one year. A total of 5,086 buses were challaned for lacking valid PUC certificates, from 2017-till February this year. The number was quite low in the previous years -- 244 in 2012-13, 216 in 2013-14, 506 in 2014-15, 189 in 2015-16,.And 978 in 2016-17, he said in a written reply.
The enforcement wing of the Transport Department carries out regular checks of pollution standards of the buses coming to Delhi from neighbouring states. Buses not having valid PUC certificates are challaned, said transport M inister.