Technology's contribution: The new computerised PUC system being demonstrated at the I&M camp.

Control of vehicular pollution requires an Integrated Approach encompassing:

• Air Quality monitoring that identifies gross pollutants and correlates them with gross polluters
• Vehicle technology
• Matching fuel quality (Use of unleaded petrol, low sulphur petrol and diesel)
• Traffic Management

The camp was inaugurated by the Acting Transport Commissioner, Government of Maharashtra, Mr D.G. Jadav.

In his inaugural address, Mr Jadav stressed on the need to create awareness among the public to curb the menace of pollution in the cities.

He also reiterated the fact that Traffic Management should be handled more effectively so that stop-start operations are reduced considerably.

Congratulating SIAM on the initiative taken to organise the I&M clinic at Mumbai, Mr Jadav assured full support and cooperation to SIAM in its endeavour to reduce emissions by educating vehicle owners on the importance of periodic maintenance of motor vehicles.

In his welcome address Mr M.N. Muralikrishna, Technical Adviser, TVS Suzuki Ltd., emphasised that despite efforts towards manufacturing increasingly cleaner vehicles, pollution levels in our cities are still high. This can be attributed to lack of periodic I&M, use of vehicles beyond their useful life, fuel adulteration, use of spurious spares and overloading of vehicles.

Passenger cars being inspected, maintenance is the key

Emphasising the need to mobilise public acceptance of periodic maintenance, he said this can be done through creating awareness about the benefits of periodic I&M that include increased fuel efficiency and consequent savings to the user. Studies have shown that 20 per cent of badly maintained vehicles are responsible for about 40 per cent of the total pollution load.

Elaborating on the new computerised PUC model, Mr Muralikrishna also said that this is an initiative taken by SIAM to promote periodic inspection and maintenance of vehicles in the country. The new model will rectify some of the deficiencies of the existing PUC system. It will also establish a strong databank on the emission performance of in-use vehicles ensuring that more vehicles undergo periodic emission checks.

Lining up: Two-wheelers at an I&M booth

The Dy Transport Commissioner, Mr S.B. Sahasrabudhe stated that the Computerised PUC system will reduce the malpractices and the loopholes prevailing in the present PUC system. He add that this new system is expected to aid the transport department in tracking defaulting vehicles that do not undergo periodic checks.

The three day camp
Over 1600 two and four wheelers were checked during this camp. The support extended by different Government departments including ARAI, Pune and the Mumbai Police contributed to the success of the camp.


The local media played a positive role in projecting the activities of the camp.