If you’re a Delhi or New-Delhi based private vehicle owner, we have news for you. As recommended by the Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA), the Transport Department of Delhi Government has a proposal for mandatory Annual Vehicle Health Check of private vehicles. Till now this check up was mandatory for commercial vehicles only.
“Discussions are on with the EPCA about the various parameters before the policy is finalized. The fitness test, called the inspection and maintenance test, will be an annual feature, and will have to be done at authorized centers only” a government official said. The trick is, the vehicle appearing for the check-up, will be eligible for insurance coverage only if it passes the test with a positive result. “The idea is that insurance will be renewed only if the fitness certificate is available” he also added. However, considering the huge number of private vehicles (60 Lacs), the transport department suggested to authorize the Car Manufacturing Workshops and Pollution Under Control (PUC) centers for fitness check. Brand New cars don’t need this check-up for first two years, after that the owners can get this test done at any authorised centre.
As per EPCA, this policy is supposed to be in effect within a year. Anumita Roy Chaudhury of EPCA said: “Filters will need to be in place before the policy is finalized. Decisions regarding what kind of vehicles should go for the annual fitness test, a check-list of what kind of tests are needed for road worthiness as well as compliance strategies, will be taken in the next two months”.
“At present, only those vehicles that are more than 15 years old, go in for fitness checks. However, a detailed vehicle certification system of private vehicles of a certain year will not only check pollution, but also ensure safety standards” she also added.
Considering the state of affairs at authorized PUC check centers where you can get done your job by paying Rs 30 without even starting your bike/car, this mandatory check would add a further burden on common man?
Is the authority serious about pollution check and safety of a common man?
By,
Arghya Pan
Team MotorBash
News Source: ZigWheels
