Bhubaneswar, Jan 9 (NationPress) The Leader of the Opposition (LoP) and BJD President Naveen Patnaik has publicly criticized the Odisha government for its poor management of the Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate enforcement, which has led to significant disarray and difficulties for the general populace.

In a post on his X account, the former Chief Minister claimed that the BJP-led Odisha government's approach to the PUC certification issue has been riddled with severe mismanagement and ongoing policy inconsistencies.

LoP Patnaik also denounced the abrupt implementation of the "No PUC, No Fuel" rule set for January 1, 2026, which caused immense turmoil, resulting in long queues at testing facilities statewide.

“The BJP government has shown a lack of preparedness, failing to enhance testing infrastructure, neglecting advance planning, and falling short on necessary awareness campaigns,” stated the ex-CM.

He highlighted that widespread public discontent compelled the government to initially delay enforcement to February 1, then to March 31, and recently to announce a comprehensive relaxation, imposing no penalties until April 1, including halting e-detection at toll booths.

“These frequent reversals reveal a profound lack of competence and foresight within the Transport Department. The citizens of Odisha deserve governance that does not lead to unnecessary distress. While managing vehicular pollution is crucial, it should not come at the expense of inconveniencing the public,” Patnaik remarked.

The BJD leader asserted that his party stands resolutely with the populace and will persist in protesting against this mismanagement. He also urged the state government to reflect on its errors and avoid making impulsive decisions.

“We demand an immediate enhancement of the PUC testing infrastructure. Simplify the process and ensure that no undue penalties are levied on citizens during this transition phase. I implore the BJP government to learn from these missteps and focus on the well-being of Odisha's residents rather than rushing decisions,” insisted the BJD chief.

It is worth noting that last December, the Odisha government had declared strict enforcement of PUC regulations during the Road Safety Month (January 1–January 31, 2026) and instructed oil companies to refrain from fueling vehicles lacking valid PUC certificates.

However, this decision was subsequently postponed to February 1, 2026, due to obstacles faced by vehicle owners in acquiring certificates. In recent updates, the state government has further extended the relaxation period for PUC checks until April 1.