Smoke-emitting vehicles to be blacklisted under new “Emission Eye” programme

Colombo, May 8 (Daily Mirror) - Vehicles that fail to comply with maintenance orders issued for excessive smoke emissions will be blacklisted in the Department of Motor Traffic database under a new enforcement programme launched by the Vehicle Emissions Trust Fund.

Authorities warned that blacklisted vehicles could face severe difficulties in obtaining revenue licences or transferring ownership.

The Vehicle Emissions Trust Fund has introduced a special technologically advanced enforcement unit named “Emission Eye” to identify vehicles emitting excessive toxic smoke into the environment.

The Vehicle Emissions Eye Unit, operating under the Department of Motor Traffic, will secretly monitor vehicles on roads across the country and take immediate action against offenders using photographic evidence.

Under the programme, officers stationed at strategic locations in major cities will photograph vehicles visibly emitting excessive smoke and issue maintenance orders to vehicle owners on the same day.

Officials said the new system was introduced to replace the slower roadside inspection method traditionally used during vehicle emission raids.

Authorities said that the use of photographic evidence would ensure greater transparency while minimising disputes between vehicle owners and officers.

Since vehicles are monitored while in motion, the system also prevents traffic congestion caused by roadside inspections.

The Vehicle Emissions Trust Fund stated that the “Emission Eye” system is expected to be further developed in the future and may eventually be linked with automated CCTV camera networks.

Vehicle owners receiving maintenance orders will be required to repair their vehicles and present them to the Vehicle Emissions Centre in Werahera on the specified date.

Meanwhile, islandwide roadside smoke inspections are also scheduled to continue from May, with a special operation planned in and around Kandy city on May 6, 7 and 8 to curb rising air pollution levels.

The Vehicle Emissions Trust Fund said the initiative aims to reduce health risks linked to vehicle emissions, including cancer, respiratory diseases and heart conditions, while ensuring cleaner air for future generations.