Bhubaneswar: In a major relief to lakhs of vehicle owners across Odisha, State Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena has announced a one-month grace period for the renewal of essential vehicle documents, including Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates. This decision comes as a direct response to the massive public outcry and chaotic scenes witnessed at testing centers following the government’s recent “No PUC, No Fuel” directive.
Public Outrage and Ground Reality
For the past week, Odisha has seen unprecedented scenes of desperation. Following the State Transport Authority’s (STA) announcement that petrol pumps would deny fuel to vehicles without valid pollution certificates starting January 1, 2026, panic gripped the state.
Regional news channels and social media platforms have been flooded with images of “pollution lines” stretching for kilometers. In cities like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Berhampur, hundreds of vehicles—ranging from two-wheelers to heavy trucks—lined up as early as 4-5 AM outside mobile pollution testing vans. The sudden surge led to server crashes, heated arguments between motorists and staff, and a complete breakdown of traffic in areas surrounding the testing kiosks.
Venting their frustration on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, citizens slammed the government for “half-baked” implementation, pointing out the severe shortage of authorized testing centers to handle the state’s massive vehicle population.
The Minister’s Intervention
Recognizing the growing resentment and the logistical nightmare, Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena stepped in today to provide a much-needed breathing room.
“We have observed the difficulties faced by the public and the immense rush at the testing centers. Keeping the convenience of the citizens in mind, we are granting a one-month grace period,” the Minister stated.
Key Highlights of the Announcement:
Deadline Extended: Motorists now have until January 31, 2026, to update their Registration Certificates (RC), Fitness Certificates, Insurance, and PUC certificates.
Enforcement Date: Strict statewide checks and penalties will now commence from February 1, 2026.
Interim Relief: During this one-month window, no penalties will be levied for expired documents, providing a temporary shield against heavy fines under the Motor Vehicles Act.
“No PUC, No Fuel” on Hold?
While the “No PUC, No Fuel” policy remains the ultimate goal to curb environmental degradation, the Minister’s announcement effectively hits the “pause” button on aggressive enforcement. The STA had originally cited provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, to implement the fuel-restriction rule from mid-December. With the new grace period, the transition is expected to be more gradual.
Minister Jena has urged vehicle owners not to wait until the final week of January to avoid a repeat of the current chaos. He also directed officials to explore increasing the number of authorized pollution testing units across the state to meet the demand.
For now, the long queues at the pollution vans are expected to thin out as the “one-month window” offers Odisha’s motorists a chance to breathe—and refuel—without the immediate threat of a challan.
