Times of India: Agra: Thursday, 30 July 2026.
Govt vehicles in Agra are more than three times as likely as private vehicles to lack valid pollution under control (PUC) certificates, according to data obtained through an RTI query.
The reply to the RTI
query, filed by TOI, showed that PUC certificates of 231, or 36.9%, of the 626
vehicles registered to govt departments in Agra had expired as of July 1, 2026.
In comparison, around 11% of the district’s 8,48,327 registered private vehicles
lacked valid certificates.
The transport department said it did not maintain records of vehicles hired by govt departments on a contractual basis.
Department records showed that no action had been taken against govt vehicles without valid PUC certificates. Asked about enforcement against private vehicles, an official said, “Teams from the police and transport department conduct regular checks. Vehicles without valid PUC certificates are fined and impounded in case of repeated violations.”
The findings come amid increased vigilance against polluting vehicles in the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), where strict norms are in place to protect the Taj Mahal. TTZ Authority chairman and divisional commissioner Nagendra Pratap recently ordered joint enforcement drives by the police and transport departments following persistent complaints about the illegal movement of overage vehicles.
Regional transport officer Akhilesh Dwivedi said, “Action will be taken against govt vehicles operating without pollution certificates. Such vehicles will be seized and fined.”
Under section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, driving a vehicle that violates pollution standards can attract a fine of up to Rs 10,000 and disqualification from holding a driving licence for three months. A vehicle may also be seized if it is found emitting dense smoke.
Govt vehicles in Agra are more than three times as likely as private vehicles to lack valid pollution under control (PUC) certificates, according to data obtained through an RTI query.
The transport department said it did not maintain records of vehicles hired by govt departments on a contractual basis.
Department records showed that no action had been taken against govt vehicles without valid PUC certificates. Asked about enforcement against private vehicles, an official said, “Teams from the police and transport department conduct regular checks. Vehicles without valid PUC certificates are fined and impounded in case of repeated violations.”
The findings come amid increased vigilance against polluting vehicles in the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), where strict norms are in place to protect the Taj Mahal. TTZ Authority chairman and divisional commissioner Nagendra Pratap recently ordered joint enforcement drives by the police and transport departments following persistent complaints about the illegal movement of overage vehicles.
Regional transport officer Akhilesh Dwivedi said, “Action will be taken against govt vehicles operating without pollution certificates. Such vehicles will be seized and fined.”
Under section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, driving a vehicle that violates pollution standards can attract a fine of up to Rs 10,000 and disqualification from holding a driving licence for three months. A vehicle may also be seized if it is found emitting dense smoke.
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