In a letter addressed to Delhi’s transport commissioner, DPDA expressed their longstanding concerns, stating, "PUC certification centres earlier operated on wafer thin margins for many years and have for the last few years operated on losses...While the spiralling costs and other expenses, which have jumped several fold, have been brought to your notice several times in the past, non-revision of PUC checking rates and the consequent unviability is forcing us to close our centres across Delhi from July 1."
Currently, Delhi hosts nearly 650 PUC centres, situated at various petrol and diesel stations throughout the city. Customers are charged INR 60 for two-wheelers, INR 80 for petrol cars, and INR 100 for diesel vehicles (excluding 18% GST) for PUC checks. "The last time the rates were revised was in Dec 2011. In the last 12 years, the minimum wages of a skilled worker have gone up by nearly three times, the oil companies have started charging exorbitant rents for these centres and the overhead charges such as maintenance of the equipment have also increased," DPDA President Nischal Singhania told TOI.
Responding to the potential consequences of closure, the association emphasized their efforts to sustain operations despite losses, prioritizing environmental concerns. "We have, over the last few years, convinced several of our dealers to not close the PUC centres even while incurring losses with the fragile environment of Delhi in mind and in hope of a legitimate increase of PUC checking rates," the letter read.
With approximately 80 lakh registered vehicles in Delhi, the closure of PUC centres could have significant repercussions, including increased vehicular pollution. A vehicle operating without a valid PUC certificate risks a hefty fine of INR 10,000.
TOI reported that Delhi’s transport minister Kailash Gahlot was unavailable for comment on the matter at the time of reporting.
The DPDA concluded their plea with a call for urgent action: "…kindly make the PUC centres viable lest all are forced to close down permanently, defeating the noble cause of making the environment better."
As the deadline approaches, stakeholders await a resolution to this pressing issue that affects both business viability and environmental sustainability in the capital city.
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