It is learnt that the Transport Minister of Goa has asked the authorities to defer Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate implementation by one month and also give relaxation to parents carrying children to school on two-wheelers. The minister has reportedly asked the enforcement officials to be humane in implementing the amended Motor Vehicle Act. The main pollutants emitted by a vehicle are carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. Cars emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, which causes worldwide temperatures to rise. Hence Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate has been made mandatory for every vehicle. Giving time for getting the PUC certificate could be a move in the right direction. However, relaxation of the rule for parents carrying children to school on two-wheelers as regards the total number of passengers could set a wrong precedent. As it is, more than three and at times even four children are being ferried to and from the school on a two-wheeler. This may lead to accidents. The amended Motor Vehicle Act needs to be implemented in its totality. Traffic discipline is the need of the hour.
