Polluting vehicles remain unchecked despite strict PUC standards

Thick black smoke billowing from some private buses is a common sight in Kozhikode. | Photo credit: K. Ragesh

Despite strict screening and monitoring before issuing Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCs), emissions of heavy smoke from some heavy vehicles and city buses remain unchecked, raising serious air pollution concerns. Authorities have also reportedly failed to identify old autorickshaws and vehicles with two-stroke engines that figure in the list of polluting vehicles.

Emissions containing pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and fine particles that can adversely affect human health remain a problem despite initiatives by the state and Union governments to promote electric vehicles through attractive financing and subsidy schemes. Health experts warn that long-term exposure to polluted air increases the risk of respiratory problems and cardiovascular diseases.

A recent scientific study analyzing air quality at Kerala’s coastal monitoring stations identifies Kozhikode as a place with particularly high levels of nitrogen oxide and highlights the need for more thorough monitoring of pollution sources. According to official figures, Kozhikode district had more than 17 million registered vehicles as of March 2025, highlighting the need for stronger measures to curb vehicular pollution.

“Inspection squads mainly examine the expiry date of PUC certificates. They never check the authenticity of the certificates issued or suspect any wrongdoing,” says a retired Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) official. Vehicles emitting excessive smoke should be immediately taken to testing centers for spot checks and follow-up, he says.

A senior police officer from the traffic enforcement unit says enforcement can only be effective with the introduction of mobile emission testing units and automated enforcement mechanisms. Local patrol units currently do not have access to mobile testing units, a loophole that requires intervention by the state government, he adds.

However, pollution testing center operators in Kozhikode city say there is little scope for laxity in issuing PUC certificates as per the latest testing parameters and automated systems. The actual test results must be uploaded to a centralized server and are always available for review by the relevant authorities, they add.

Meanwhile, some residents’ association officials say heavy vehicles emitting excessive smoke are mostly used for illegal activities such as sand smuggling or dumping. They claim that the owners of such vehicles are not even concerned with obtaining PUC certificates. Targeted enforcement could also identify several other vehicles, including private buses and heavy vehicles, operating with forged certificates, they added.

Published – 30 Oct 2026 20:07 IST