NEW DELHI: Owners of BS-VI private vehicles, up to six years old, will not need to renew Pollution Under Control Certificates every year, as govt is planning to extend their validity period to three years, reports Dipak Dash. However, BS-VI vehicles aged between six and 10 years will be required to renew their PUCC annually and those above 10 years every six months.The move is intended to reduce burden on owners, considering that BS-VI vehicles are significantly cleaner than their predecessors. BS-VI vehicles emit up to 82% less particulate matter (PM) and 25 less nitrogen oxides (NOx) than BS-IV vehicles.Owners of older BSIV private vehicles — manufactured before March 2020 — may have to renew their PUCC every six months, instead of the current requirement of once a year. For BS-I to BS-III vehicles, PUCC renewal would be made mandatory every three months, compared with the current requirement of once every six months, as per the plan.TOI has learned that the changes have been proposed as part of a plan to roll out a new regime, ‘PUCC 3.0’.People aware of the development said validity of PUCC for commercial BS-VI vehicles is proposed to be different. In case of vehicles that are up to six years old, PUCC validity will be for two years. The norms for BS-VI commercial vehicles that are over six years old would be the same as those for private vehicles.They said the changes were proposed keeping in mind the contribution of vehicular emission to air pollution and also to disincentivise people from keeping old vehicles. “The process for PUCC is also being improved to ensure there is no manipulation in readings,” said an official.

A former joint secretary in road transport ministry welcomed the proposal, as new BS-VI vehicles have less emission. However, Anil Chhikara, a former deputy transport commissioner, said govt should take into consideration that maintenance of even new vehicles has an impact on emission.