Environment Department

  VETS

VETS  Introduction

Rapid increase in the number of vehicles, lack of emission control technologies, low oil/ fuel quality, lack of enforcement and lack of awareness are major factors contributing to the air pollution levels in Peshawar. Without timely and effective measures to mitigate the adverse impacts of vehicular emissions, the' environment of Peshawar Metropole will continue to deteriorate and. become increasingly intolerable.

Keeping in view this grave situation in Peshawar Metropolitan, the Environmental Protection Agency, GoNWFP with the Technical Assistance of Federal Republic of Germany through the GTZ (German Agency for Technical Cooperation) has Established a Vehicle Emission Testing Station (VETS) equipped with three sets of latest/modem sophisticated BOSJCH emission control technology units and well trained staff to test and analyze emissions of all kind of petrol and diesel vehicles.
This VETS is the beginning of a new chapter for vehicular emission control in Pakistan. The objectives of VETS are reduction of harmful emissions, better fuel/ engine efficiency, reduced maintenance requirements, and to test and identify vehicles which are violating the notified National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS).

VETS was established 1st June 1997 and formerly inaugurated on 7th August 1997 by the Chief Minister NWFP. The first ever Vehicle Emission Testing Station since June 1997 is in full operation
near Chamkani Chowk, Peshawar on self sustainable basis.

Objectives:

The Vehicle Emission Testing Station (VETS) is set up to support the reduction of vehicular emissions. This VETS is; practicable, sustainable and replicable in other parts of North-West Frontier Province.

Technology Focus

• To test and analyze the load of exhaust emission
• To issue fitness certificate (Pass or Fail)
• To make the vehicle owners comply with the notified standards
• To provide training and technical support on emission equipment
• To disseminate know-how and information

How VETS Function

Vehicles come to VETS either on voluntary basis or through the mobile teams. Currently 2 mobile units with the help of traffic police and equipped with smoke meters/CO analyzers carry out spot checks at various locations in Peshawar. .

The vehicles failing the road test are challaned by the mobile teams under the Motor Vehicle Ordinance (MVO) section 163/112 and the owner/drivers are asked to get a fitness certificate from VETS.
Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (PEP A 1997), which can also be another source to channelize vehicles to VETS.

Vehicles that pass the emission test at VETS are issued a green pass sticker (six months for diesel vehicles). A nominal fee of Rs.100/ - is charged for the test.
All the data regarding the tested vehicles is stored in a computerized data bank.

How Mobile Units are Functioning

The mobile teams are equipped with latest portable BOSCH diesel and petrol emission testing equipment.
The objectives of the mobile teams are:

  To check the diesel/Petrol operated vehicles on roads
  To assist Traffic Police in channelizing the vehicles to VETS.
  To create mass awareness.

The mobile teams carry out their field activity on roads in collaboration with the Traffic Police. Almost 80% of the vehicles tested in VETS come through the mobile teams.

Since September 1997 the team has calaness almost 50,00 vehicles with the help of Traffic Police. All the vehicles checked were advised to get a detail test/fitness certificate from VETS. It is to be noted that during the period September 1997 to June 1998, just one mobile team was operational, due to lack of vehicles.
Vehicles which pass the emission teat on road are issued pass stickers and certificate valid for 6 months. If the vehicles which fail in the road test are challawned by traffic police under M.V.O. Section 163/112 and the owner / drivers are advised to get fitness certificate from VETS.

On Road Vehicles tested by VETS till 31 Oct, 2003