Witnessing heavy footfall and heavy traffic in and around the city pollution under check (PUC) certificates caused by increased fine under the new updated Motor Vehicle (Amendments) Act, Delhi Government has directed the test centres to remain open till 10 pm.

The Delhi Transport Minister on Friday issued directions to the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) to use its PUC centres and spare spaces for pollution check of vehicles to handle the spike in number of vehicles.

The fine of Rs 1,000 on first instance and Rs 2,000 for every subsequent violation of PUC norm has been increased to Rs 10,000 under the Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Act, 2019 which came into being on September 1.

The DTC has 43 PUC centres at its depots and terminals which may be opened for private vehicles against. Also, notices will be issued for applications for authorisation of PUC centres, it added.

"The deterrence of high fine has led to a spike in the number of vehicles undergoing pollution tests in last few days and about 40-45,000 vehicles are turning up everyday at the authorised centres," said a transport department statement.

Processing capacity of the server for faster PUC checks is being enhanced in coordination with IT department and the National Informatics Centre, it said.

The PUC test involves checking of vehicles for emissions of smoke, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and other air pollutants. Based on the test, a PUC certificate is issued to certify that the vehicle meets emission and pollution control norms.

Further responding to a complaint from a commuter, Gahlot suspended PUC centre on Kemal Attaturk Marg was suspended for overcharging and warning has been issued to others to not indulge in "malpractices".

"Apart from other steps being taken to ensure that no inconvenience is caused to Public, I have directed that all Pollution Checking Centres in Delhi to remain open from 7 am to 10 pm with immediate effect," said Kailash Gahlot in tweet.

Since implementation of the Act, the volume of vehicles seeking PUC certificates at 940 odd test centres across the city has gone up by more than three times, according to officials.

According to the officials, Till Friday about two lakh vehicles have flooded the PUC test centres. The number has risen by more than three times since the fine amount has been raised," said a transport department official. While, the number of vehicles at PUC tests earlier were around 10,000 to 12,000 per day, which has increased significantly to 35,000 to 40,000 vehicles per day.