In Brief
In this environmental protection writ petition, the Supreme Court reviewed the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways' implementation of expert recommendations to strengthen Pollution Under Control (PUC) centres. The Court directed the Ministry to ensure speedy implementation of key measures: upgrading and regulating PUC centres, linking PUC certificates to vehicle insurance, automating real-time data transmission to a national database (VAHAN), mandating fee pre-payment, strengthening centre inspections, and enforcing penalties for non-compliance. The Court emphasized that regular monitoring and inspection of PUC centres must be maintained throughout the country to ensure emission norms are upheld, with state transport departments playing a primary enforcement role under central guidance. The matter was listed for further review on 21 September 2017."
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