Bhubaneswar: In a major relief to lakhs of vehicle owners across Odisha, State Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena has announced a one-month grace period for the renewal of essential vehicle documents, including Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates. This decision comes as a direct response to the massive public outcry and chaotic scenes witnessed at testing centers following the government’s recent “No PUC, No Fuel” directive.
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Public Outrage and Ground Reality
For the past week, Odisha has seen unprecedented scenes of desperation. Following the State Transport Authority’s (STA) announcement that petrol pumps would deny fuel to vehicles without valid pollution certificates starting January 1, 2026, panic gripped the state.
Regional news channels and social media platforms have been flooded with images of “pollution lines” stretching for kilometers. In cities like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Berhampur, hundreds of vehicles—ranging from two-wheelers to heavy trucks—lined up as early as 4-5 AM outside mobile pollution testing vans. The sudden surge led to server crashes, heated arguments between motorists and staff, and a complete breakdown of traffic in areas surrounding the testing kiosks.
Venting their frustration on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, citizens slammed the government for “half-baked” implementation, pointing out the severe shortage of authorized testing centers to handle the state’s massive vehicle population.
The Minister’s Intervention
Recognizing the growing resentment and the logistical nightmare, Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena stepped in today to provide a much-needed breathing room.