: The Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) is preparing to tighten the grip over automobile pollution testing centres to ensure that they comply with emission norms, and do not issue certificates to polluting motor vehicles.

The initiative for real-time monitoring of 574 centres and to make Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates tamper-proof comes in the wake of rampant malpractices, fake certificates and adverse reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

The centres will be linked to a central server of the MVD through the new software to be procured from Keltron.

“It does not involve any additional expense. The proposal has been forwarded to the government and a decision is awaited,” a top MVD official told The Hindu .

The smoke emitted from the vehicle during the test will be transmitted to the MVD server in digital format for analysis.

The centres can use any machines approved by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI). Only an additional modem is needed.

The image of the vehicle and registration number plate will be captured on camera. Once the vehicle clears the test, a One Time Password (OTP) will be forwarded to the mobile of the registered owner.

The owner can take the printout of the certificate at his home or workplace or seek the help of the testing centre.

Those running the centres will not be able to alter the software or manipulate the readings once the e-connectivity is established. ‘With this, the testing centres will turn out to be just sample collection centres,” the official added.

The motorists need not carry the certificates as the law enforcing agencies can check validity as QR code will be provided. The motorists will also get alert and intimation before the expiry of PUC certificate that will have a validity of six months.

Diesel vehicles

The MVD has also decided to enforce the new ARAI norms for testing of diesel vehicles.

In order to enforce the three flushing and three reading cycle norms, the centres will have to upgrade the gadgets at a cost between Rs.5,000 and Rs.80,000.

A high-level meeting chaired by Transport Minister A. K. Saseendran has decided not to extend the deadline beyond Onam.