Licences of 17 Gurugram PUC centres cancelled

Gurugram: It has been widely acknowledged that corrupt practices are prevalent at several pollution under control (PUC) certification centres in Gurugram; however, the authorities seem to be doing little to solve the problem.

The sorry state of affairs once again came to light after all the 17 PUC centres, surveyed by a team appointed by the Deputy Commissioner of Gurugram, were found to be indulging in faulty practices.

The licenses of all these centres have been cancelled with immediate effect and notices have been sent to the oil marketing companies that granted them permission to operate.

"We are continuing with our process of inspecting all the PUC centres in the city. We acknowledge that in the past there have been faulty practices followed at such centres.

"However, the administration is committed in closure of these centres, especially at a time when air quality levels in the city are extremely poor," said Pradeep Dahiya, Additional Deputy Commissioner.

Corruption at PUC centres were also acknowledged by the regional transport authority recently in front of the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority.

There are around 150 PUC centres functional in Gurugram, a city with the dubious distinction of being one of the most polluted cities not only in the National Capital Region but in the country as well.

Though air quality was terrible in early November Gurugram, air levels continue to be unhealthy even now.

The concentration of PM10 pollutant was recently recorded between 300-330 µg/m³, more than three times the required limit, while that of PM2.5 was between 150-170 µg/m³, the safe limit for which is 60 µg/m³.

Deadly levels of air quality in the city have resulted in most citizens demanding the public authorities to take concrete measures against air pollution.