Chaudhry and Malhotra.

UJPBS 2016, 04 (05): Page 5-11

ISSN 2347-3614

UNIQUE JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Available online: www.ujconline.net
Research Article

POSITIVITY OF OPINION SURVEY REGARDING NECESSITY OF ISSUE OF

“POLLUTION UNDER CONTROL” (PUC) CERTIFICATES
Chaudhry Priyanka1* and Malhotra Manju2
1
Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, DAV College (Lahore), Ambala city, India
2
Associate Professor, Department of Zoology, DAV College (Lahore), Ambala city, India

Received 20-08-2016; Revised 18-09-2016; Accepted 16-10-2016

*
Corresponding Author: Priyanka Chaudhry
1
Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, DAV College (Lahore), Ambala city-134003

ABSTRACT
Present study was undertaken to assess the positivity of opinion survey of different vehicle owners about the service and maintenance
of their vehicles and their views regarding the necessity of “Pollution under Control” (PUC) certificates. Regarding the need of issue
of PUC certificate, 88.58% vehicle owners were in favour of issue of pollution under control certificate; 5.71% regarded it as
unnecessary and the rest, i.e., 5.71% were not clear regarding the need of such certificate. The opinion survey indicated that all the
interviewees having education status matric and above matric were cautious of environmental problems and were in favour of testing
of vehicular exhaust periodically and issue of PUC certificates. 100% bus drivers opined regarding the compulsory issue of PUC
certificates. Information was also gathered with regard to the need for the periodic service of vehicles from all the interviewees. In all,
17.14%, 2.86% and 11.42% of two-wheeler, three-wheeler and heavy duty vehicle owners respectively got the periodic service of
their vehicles done at approximately month’s interval; 31.43%, 2.86%, and 2.86% of two-wheeler, three-wheeler and four-wheeler
owners respectively got the periodic service of their vehicles done before 6 months; 8.57% and 2.86% of four-wheeler and heavy duty
vehicle owners respectively got their vehicles periodically serviced at regular 6 months interval while 14.28% and 2.86% of two-
wheeler and four-wheeler owners respectively got their vehicles service done between 6 months to 1 year. Only 2.86% of four-
wheeler vehicle owners did not get their vehicles periodically serviced till date as their vehicles were almost newly purchased.
Keywords: Emissions, Urban, Vehicles, Pollution, Control.

INTRODUCTION
With the increasing urbanization and industrialization, the
transport demand has increased many folds in the last few
decades. While there has been an undoubted economic growth
as a result of above activities and although the transportation
networks have proved the life line for socio-economic
development of a country but transportation, in general, and
road transport, in particular, has become the major source of
air pollution and green house gases now-a-days. Almost a
third of world’s commercial energy is used for transport and
this sector contributes 30% of the global warming1. The
harmful exhausts from the vehicles have caused dreadening air
pollution, threatening and affecting the whole global
ecosystem at vast level ranging from small living molecules to
diversified communities. Motor vehicles account for 60-70%
of the pollution found in an urban environment1 and has been
of serious concern in the last several years as motor vehicle
emissions potentially damaging the public health particularly
in the large and densely populated cities with the proliferation
of older, more polluting vehicles2. Vehicles discharge
Unique Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, 04(05), September-October 2016
emissions directly into the breathing zone and, as such, motor
vehicles are the primary cause for deteriorating air quality in
urban areas as compared to other sources3-5. At present, there
are over 53 million two-wheelers and three-wheelers and over
6.3 million four-wheelers in the country.
Several steps have been recommended by Central Pollution
Control Board (CPCB) to keep a close watch on the emissions
released by these vehicles. Government has introduced lead
free petrol and diesel to check the concentration of sulphur
dioxide in the atmosphere. Also, the pollution test centres have
been set up by the Central Govt. and State Transport
Department on the basis of number of registered vehicles in
each district. These test centres issue Pollution Under Control
(PUC) certificates under the Central Motor Vehicles Act
which are valid for only six months to the vehicle owners after
examining the concentration level of the exhaust gases of their
vehicles. Present study has been undertaken regarding the
positivity of opinion survey of different vehicle owners about
the service and maintenance of their vehicles and their views
regarding the necessity of PUC certificates.
5
 Chaudhry and Malhotra
Malhotra. UJPBS 2016, 04 (05): Page 5-11

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Present study was conducted in the two districts namely,
Kaithal and Kurukshetra in Haryana (Fig.1). Kaithal district of
Haryana is geographically located between latitude 29081’N
and longitude 76040’ E. The total area of Kaithal district is
2,389 sq. kms. Kurukshetra district is located in the north
north-
eastern part of the state, lying between 290 98’ N latitude and
760 82’ E longitude with an area of 1,530 sq. kms.
In these two districts, four pollution control centres, installe
installed
at the petrol pumps (Table 1), ), were randomly selected for
conducting the present study. Such privately operated
pollution test centres, set up by the State Transport
Department since 1992 under “Pollution under und Control”
Certificate scheme help the govt. to assess the levels of
harmful air pollutants and maintain the emission standards
from the vehicle exhaust in different districts of the state. An
opinion survey through personal contacts was carried out to
record relevant information provided
pro in the form of
questionnaire to different vehicle owners about the awareness
regarding causes and effects of air pollution, education status
of the interviewees and their views regarding the necessity of
PUC certificates.

Figure 1: Map of Haryana depicting the study area.

Table 1: Description and classification of Sampling Sites

Unique Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences

Sciences, 04(05), September-Octo
October 2016 6
 Chaudhry and Malhotra. UJPBS 2016, 04 (05): Page 5-11

Photo 1-2 : Pollution test machines installed at the pollution test centres to check the emission levels of various gases from vehicle exhausts

Photo 3: Pollution test centre installed at the petrol pump in district Kurukshetra (Sampling site-2)

Figure 4-7: Site showing the location of petrol pump in district Kaithal and district Kurukshetra

Unique Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, 04(05), September-October 2016 7

 Chaudhry and Malhotra. UJPBS 2016, 04 (05): Page 5-11
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
During an opinion survey, 35 different vehicle owners were
interviewed in which 62.86% of the persons randomly were
two-wheeler owners, 5.71% were three-wheeler owners
(autorickshaws), 17.14% were four-wheeler owners (cars) and
rest 14.29% were heavy duty vehicle truck and bus owners
(Fig. 2).
1. Need of PUC certificate: 88.58% vehicle owners were in
the favour of vehicular PUC certificate, whereas, 5.71%
of vehicle owners regarded it as unnecessary and rest,
i.e., 5.71% were not clear regarding the need of ‘PUC’
certificate (Fig. 3).
2. Education status: Education status of the interviewees
was also recorded to correlate their education level and
their response towards environmental pollution. Of the
total persons interviewed, 2.86%, 8.57%, 8.57%, 20% and
22.85% were under matric, matric, 10+2, graduate and
post-graduate degree holders respectively in case of two-
wheeler owners; 2.86% and 2.86% were under matric and
matric degree holders respectively in case of three-
wheeler owners and 5.71%, 2.86% and 8.57% were 10+2,
graduate and post-graduate degree holders in case of four-
wheeler owners. 5.71%, 2.86%, 2.86% and 2.86% were
under matric, matric, 10+2 and graduate degree holders in
case of heavy duty vehicle owners respectively (Fig. 4).
3. Regarding the periodic service of vehicles: Through
questionnaire, information was also gathered with regard
to the need for the periodic service of vehicles from all
the interviewees. The opinion survey revealed that
91.43% of the intervieweed owners considered the
periodic service of the vehicles necessary as according to
them it is essential for the proper functioning of the
vehicle. However, 8.57% of the interviewees considered
the periodic service of the vehicle as unnecessary (Fig. 5).
4. Time of the periodic service of vehicles: 17.14%, 2.86%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Two-wheelers Three-wheelers
Figure 2 Percentage of the different vehicle owners interviewed
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Necessary
Figure. 3 Percentage response of the vehicle owners regarding the necessity of pollution under control certificate
Unique Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, 04(05), September-October 2016
and 11.42% of two wheelers, three-wheelers and heavy
duty vehicle owners interviewed respectively reported
that they got the periodic service of their vehicles done at
approximately month’s interval; 31.43%, 2.86%, and
2.86% of two-wheeler, three-wheeler and four-wheeler
owners respectively got the periodic service of their
vehicles done before 6 months and only 8.57% and 2.86%
of four-wheeler and heavy duty vehicle owners
respectively got their vehicles periodically serviced at
regular 6 months interval. However, 14.28% and 2.86%
of two-wheeler and four-wheeler owners respectively got
their vehicles service done between 6 months to 1 year.
Only 2.86% of four-wheeler vehicle owners did not get
their vehicles periodically serviced till date as their
vehicles were almost newly purchased (Fig. 6).
5. Use of 2T oil: 2T oil is provided for the lubrication of the
engine 6. 45.71% of the vehicle owners interviewed were
the users of 2T oil while 54.29% were not using 2T oil.
The probable reason of not using 2T oil by them is that as
all their vehicles had four stroke engine (Fig. 7).
6. Regarding type of vehicle responsible for causing air
pollution: According to 48.7% owners intervieweed,
autorickshaws are the major source for causing air
pollution whereas 17.14%, 2.86%, 2.86%, 2.86% and
25.71% of the owners interviewed blamed diesel buses,
diesel cars, bikes, petrol cars and trucks respectively for
causing air pollution (Fig. 8).
7. Use of particular branded fuel (petrol/diesel):
Regarding the use of fuel in the vehicle, 74.29% of
interviewees were using a particular brand of fuel such as
Hindustan Petroleum, Bharat Petroleum, Reliance, Essar
etc., whereas, 25.71% of owners interviewed were not
particular towards the use of any particular branded fuel
and were using different brand of fuel at different times
(Fig. 9).
Four-wheelers Heavy duty vehicles
Not necessary Can't say
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25%

20%
Two-wheelers
15%
Three-wheelers
10% Four-wheelers

5% Heavy duty vehicles

0%
Under matric Matric 10+2 Graduate Post-graduate

Figure 4: Percentage level of education of different vehicle owners interviewed

100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Necessary Not necessary

Figure 5: Percentage response of the vehicle owners regarding the periodic service of their vehicles

35%
Two-wheelers
30%
Three-wheelers
25%
Four-wheelers
20% Heavy duty vehicles
15%
10%
5%
0%
Within weeks Before 6 months
At regular 6 months
6 months to 1 year In years No service till date

Figure 6: Percentage response of the vehicle owners regarding the service period of their vehicles

60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Yes No
Figure 7: Opinion regarding the use of 2T oil
Unique Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, 04(05), September-October 2016 9
 Chaudhry and Malhotra. UJPBS 2016, 04 (05): Page 5-11
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Diesel buses Diesel cars Autorickshaws
Figure 8: Opinion regarding the type of vehicle for causing air pollution
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Particular type of fuel
Figure 9: Opinion regarding the use of specific fuel
In the present study, during opinion survey, most of the
interviewees were of the opinion that the autorickshaws
primarily, followed by trucks are the major source for causing
air pollution, so there is a dire need to issue PUC certificate
for such vehicles. Earlier, Trivedi et al. (1993) also reported
that vehicular pollution is caused more from three-wheelers 7.
In 1998, Sawyer et al. analysed that the evaporative and
crankcase emissions which include uncontrolled CO and NOx
emissions on a fuel consumed basis were much greater from
diesel mobile sources as compared to the gasoline mobile
sources 8. According to a report by INAV (2003), diesel
vehicles are of serious concern as very few immediate
emission control strategies exist for millions of diesel trucks,
commercial vehicles and diesel cars on the road 9. According
to Symeonidis et al. (2003) High Diesel Vehicles (HDV’s)
pollute more than the other vehicle types 10. Morawska et al.
(2005) worked on the particle number emission factors from
the motor vehicles and reported that the emissions from heavy
duty diesel vehicles were over 1 order of magnitude higher
than the emission factors of petrol fueled passenger cars11.
According to them, the future control and management
strategies should be with particular target heavy duty vehicles,
as even a moderate decrease in the emissions of these vehicles
would have a significant impact on lowering the atmospheric
concentrations. Guo et al. (2006) suggested that the emissions
from the new modern light duty gasoline vehicles were found
Unique Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, 04(05), September-October 2016
Bikes Scooters Petrol cars Trucks
Any type of fuel
to be very low as compared to the older vehicles 12. According
to a report by INAV (2007) diesel cars are increasing by the
rate of 17% annually which resulted in the significant increase
in the air pollution 13.
The opinion survey indicated that all the interviewees having
education status matric and above matric were cautious of
environmental problems and were in favour of testing of
vehicular exhausts periodically and issue of PUC certificates.
Majority of the three wheeler (autorickshaw) owners were also
cautious about environmental problems but were not clear in
their reply regarding issue of PUC certificates periodically.
100% bus drivers opined regarding the compulsory issue of
PUC certificates. Similar opinion was given by HDV truck
owners. Most of the interviewees also blamed trucks and
diesel buses for causing air pollution. Legislative measures for
control of automobile air pollution requires a careful review
with the revision of norms of PUC test procedures and strict
implementation of PUC certificates . There is a need for
implementing the advanced vehicle inspection system and
centralised testing facilities, only a credible inspection
programme can win public support, cut in-use emissions and
even exert pressure on the industries and refineries to improve
engine technologies and fuel quality 8. These findings indicate
that government must take adequate steps towards the
compulsory periodic issue of PUC certificates to these three-
wheelers and heavy-duty vehicles.
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 Chaudhry and Malhotra. UJPBS 2016, 04 (05): Page 5-11
CONCLUSION
Positivity of opinion survey correlates the education status of
different interviewees and their response towards
environmental pollution. All the interviewees having
education status matric and above matric were cautious of
environmental problems and were in favour of testing of
vehicular exhaust periodically and issue of PUC certificates.
Also, according to most of the interviewees trucks and diesel
buses are the major vehicles responsible for causing air
pollution. Thus, there is a dire need for implementing the
advanced vehicle inspection system so, legislative measures
for control of automobile air pollution requires a careful
review with the revision of norms of PUC test procedures and
strict implementation of PUC certificates for all type of
vehicles.
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