Karnataka Hikes Vehicle Pollution Under Control Certificate Fees

BENGALURU — The Karnataka government has revised the fees for Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates across all vehicle categories with effect from Saturday, citing rising operational and maintenance expenses reported by testing centres.

Under the newly notified structure, authorised vehicle pollution testing centres will charge Rs 80 for two-wheelers and Rs 80 for three-wheelers. The testing fee for petrol, LPG, and CNG four-wheelers has been set at Rs 150, while testing for all diesel vehicles will now cost Rs 200. The government clarified that only computerised pollution testing centres are permitted to collect the revised charges, which apply exclusively to emission testing.

The decision comes after the Transport and Road Safety Commissioner submitted a proposal based on representations from the Karnataka State Emission Testing Centers Owner’s Association. In their submission, the association highlighted steep increases in operational expenditures, including fuel and material costs, rent, internet connectivity, equipment maintenance, printer cartridges, electricity bills, and staff salaries.

Alongside the price revision, the state government has laid down strict operational conditions for all authorised testing centres. Facilities must employ trained personnel, conduct periodic recalibrations of their gas analysers, and prominently display the date and validity period of the latest equipment calibration on their premises.

Testing centres are strictly required to issue computer-generated certificates without any handwritten entries, and documents may only be provided to vehicles that meet prescribed emission standards. PUC certificates issued for Bharat Stage-IV (BS-IV) and Bharat Stage-VI (BS-VI) vehicles will remain valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Centres must also affix a hologram to certificates issued online and apply the prescribed stickers to tested vehicles.

Authorities have further mandated that testing centres maintain adequate physical space for vehicle testing and maintenance, alongside prominently displaying their operating licences. The government cautioned that licences of centres found violating legal provisions or specified licence conditions are liable to be suspended or cancelled.