NEW DELHI: In a bid to cut vehicular pollution in the national capital, the Delhi government has initiated sending notices to vehicle owners without valid Pollution Under Control certificates,  asking them to get one or face penalty, officials said on Monday.

Over 17 lakh vehicles (13 lakh two-wheelers and 3 lakh cars) are currently on the road without a valid PUC, they claimed.

We have sent over 14 lakh car owners SMS messages urging them to obtain a current PUC and warning them that failure to do so may result in severe penalties. Within two to three months, the peak of the pollution season will arrive, therefore we must make sure that traffic pollution is at least somewhat reduced. An official added that warning people to obtain a valid PUC is a start in the right way. The official also mentioned that there is a legal exemption for vehicles that are not used for road travel.

For instance, a retired Army colonel wrote to the Transport Department to complain that his son was away and that his car was still in the garage. Naturally, vehicles that are not being driven on the road are not required to obtain a PUC; nevertheless, he warned, "vehicles detected driving on the road without a valid PUC will be penalised."

According to the Motor Vehicle Act, vehicle owners who are found driving without a current PUC certificate may be sentenced to up to six months imprisonment, a fine of up to Rs 10,000, or both.

Hyundai Motor to build dedicated EV plant in S.Korea

Global EV shipments up 79pc, Tesla leads

Gadkari makes big claims: Petrol usage will be over in India in next 5-yrs