In a scathing critique posted on X (formerly Twitter), former Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President Naveen Patnaik lambasted the BJP-led state government for its mishandling of the Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate enforcement.
Patnaik highlighted what he described as “gross mismanagement and repeated policy flip-flops” that have inflicted significant hardships on the common people of Odisha.
The controversy stems from the government’s initial announcement of a “No PUC, No Fuel” rule set to take effect from January 1, 2026. According to Patnaik, this led to immediate chaos, with long queues forming at PUC testing centres statewide due to inadequate preparation. “The BJP Govt failed to prepare adequately, with no expansion of testing infrastructure, no planning, and no awareness campaigns on the required scale,” Patnaik stated in his post.
Public backlash prompted a series of reversals from the administration. The enforcement was first deferred to February 1, then pushed to March 31, and most recently, relaxed entirely with no fines imposed until April 1, 2026. This includes the suspension of e-detection systems at toll gates. Patnaik argued that these U-turns reveal “utter incompetence and lack of foresight in the Transport Department,” emphasising that while vehicular pollution control is crucial, it should not harass citizens.
As the Leader of Opposition, Patnaik reiterated the BJD’s solidarity with the affected public, noting the party’s active protests against the mismanagement. He called for urgent action, including scaling up PUC testing facilities, simplifying the certification process, and ensuring no undue penalties during the transition. “The people of Odisha deserve better governance, policies that are implemented without causing unnecessary suffering,” he urged, pressing the BJP government to “learn from these mistakes” and prioritise citizen welfare over hasty decisions.
Patnaik’s post has garnered significant attention on social media, amplifying calls for accountability. As Odisha grapples with urban air quality challenges, this episode underscores the tension between environmental goals and practical governance. The state Transport Department has yet to respond officially to Patnaik’s allegations.
The BJP government’s handling of the Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate enforcement has been marked by gross mismanagement and repeated policy flip-flops that have caused immense hardships, and inconvenience to the common people of Odisha. What started as a sudden…
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) January 9, 2026
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