RTO cracks down on emission test centres issuing fake certificates

The transport department has cracked down on emission test centres for flouting norms. Around  77 centres have been fined  Rs 10,000 each for  issuing emission certificates without testing vehicles.

"The irregularities were unearthed  during a  routine inspection of the emission test centres. The irregularities are tumbling out one after another. We will discuss the matter  with the senior officials and take action," said transport commissioner B Dayananda.

He said special teams, led by senior officials from the regional transport office, were conducting inspections across the state. "As of now, we have information regarding the checks conducted till December 10. We think information on several  other centres will come to light by the end of the month," Dayananda said.

An official in the department said of the 77 centres, 12 are  located in Bengaluru and  65 in other districts.

"We have issued a notice and registered cases against all of them. The number of such centres is going up by the day. We are conducting surprise inspections. Selling fake emission certificates is a serious issue. We have proposed to the higher-ups to revoke the permits given to such  errant centres," he said.

BMTC, KSRTC offenders

According to the official, state-owned emission centres are also  involved in such malpractices.

"The BMTC's emission testing centres at Jayanagar and the Whitefield depot, and at KSRTC depots in Hubballi, Mysuru and Mangaluru as well as NWKRTC's Chikkodi, Vijayapura and Sirsi depots were also issuing fake certificates. A fine of Rs 10,000 has been imposed on them too," he said.

The officer said some of the buses from the state transport corporations were plying  with fake emission certificates. "This is damaging to the environment as well. Now, it  is double work to  find such buses for a retest," he said.

Exposed by CCB

The RTO, which issued  permits to the emission test centres, had not inspected them.  In 2015, the Central Crime Branch police busted several fraudulent testing centres in the state.