Vehicular pollution drive in Hyderabad: 51,000 vehicles booked, over Rs 6 crore collected in fines

Hyderabad: The Telangana State government has intensified enforcement against vehicular pollution, booking over 51,000 cases in Hyderabad’s urban limits over the past 24 months against vehicles operating without mandatory fitness and pollution control certificates.

Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar disclosed this while replying to questions raised by members in the Legislative Assembly on vehicle pollution.

Thousands of violations, crores in penalties

The Minister informed the House that as many as 22,340 cases were registered against vehicles plying without fitness certificates.

As many as 28,970 cases were booked for operating without Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates in the Hyderabad Urban area.

As a result, the Transport Department collected Rs 4.28 crore in fines from fitness certificate violations and Rs 2.38 crore from PUC-related offences.

Digitisation of transport services

Prabhakar said the Transport Department has already migrated to the Sarathi platform, ending long-standing issues faced over the last decade. The complete computerisation of services is expected to be finished within six months.

He added that pollution testing centres in Hyderabad have been digitally linked to Transport Department offices to ensure better monitoring and transparency.

1.8 crore vehicles in Telangana with 550 pollution testing stations

The Minister stated that Telangana has around 1.8 crore vehicles, supported by 550 pollution testing stations across the State.

To strengthen compliance, the government is setting up 15 Automated Testing Stations (ATS) in the first phase, with plans to establish a total of 37 ATS in the coming years.

Scrapping of old vehicles

Vehicles older than 15 years are being sent for scrapping, including RTC buses and government vehicles. For private passenger vehicles, a green tax-based relaxation is currently in place.

The Minister said this concession limits strict enforcement and has been brought to the notice of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, as the final decision on this relaxation rests with the Centre.

Automatic driving test stations planned

Referring to best practices in Delhi, the Minister said advanced technology there ensures driving licences are issued with high accuracy and minimal human intervention.

On similar lines, automatic driving testing stations are being introduced in Telangana to improve transparency and ensure stricter evaluation standards.

Enhanced enforcement and monitoring

To boost enforcement efficiency, traditional check-posts have been removed and systems integrated with Sarathi and ‘Vahan’. Speed regulation is being strengthened through the installation of speed-monitoring cameras.

Notices to Water Board over air pollution by water tankers

The Minister expressed concern over water tankers in Hyderabad emitting excessive smoke, contributing significantly to air pollution. Notices will be issued to Water Board vehicles regarding fitness compliance.

He also warned that school buses and vehicles operated by IT and pharmaceutical companies will face strict action if found violating pollution norms.

The Minister asserted that the State government remains committed to leveraging technology and stricter enforcement to curb vehicular pollution and protect public health across Telangana.