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High Court directive to MCD: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to notify plying of environment-friendly mini buses in place of cycle-rickshaws between Jain Mandir and Fatehpuri Masjid at Chandni Chowk in the Walled City area. A Division Bench of the Court comprising Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Kailash Gambhir directed the local body to implement this mode of transport on the congested stretch within four weeks.

The Hindu, New Delhi, July 27, 2006 & www.hinduonnet.com

`Bright prospects for electric vehicles`: With petroleum prices shooting up and newer emission control norms coming in, electric vehicles may well be the future for transportation in the country. According to a survey conducted by AC Nielsen on the potential of electric two-wheelers, an overwhelming percentage indicated a positive acceptance to the concept.

Business Line, New Delhi, July 27, 2006

Clean energy: It’s a dream that’s been pursued for years by governments, energy companies and automakers so far without success: Mass-producing affordable hydrogen-powered cars that spew just clean water from their tailpipes. So Shanghai’s Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies decided to start small. Really small. This month, it will begin sales of a tiny hydrogen fuel-cell car, complete with its own miniature solar-powered refuelling station. The toy is a step toward introducing the technology to the public and making it commercially viable. “Public awareness and education are the first steps toward commercialisation,” said Horizon founder Taras Wankewycz, 32. “We want to make sure this technology gets adapted globally.” Automakers and energy companies view hydrogen fuel cells as a promising technology. But it’s expensive and  technological hurdles remain despite billions of dollars that have been poured into research.

The Times of India, New Delhi, July  24, 2006

Ban on goods autos from UP, Haryana: Delhi has put up a ‘‘no entry’’ sign for polluting non-CNG autos and three-wheeler commercial carriages. Fearing adverse impact on the city’s environment, Delhi  government has decided to impound all threewheelers, usually used to ferry goods, registered outside Delhi.

The Times of India, New Delhi, July 21, 2006

New electric car runs 400 km on a single charge and is ‘wicked fast’: In a new approach to making the electric car a mass-market product, a California company has unveiled a model that is very  specialised, very expensive and very, very fast. The two-seat Roadster that will sell for $85,000 to $100,000 has been developed by Tesla Motors. It goes from zero to 60 miles an hour in four seconds, “wicked fast,” said the company’s chairman, Martin Eberhard. Because it is an electric, the driver does not have to shift into second gear until the car hits 65, he said.

The Times of India, New Delhi, July 21, 2006

Delhi airport to go green: Airlines order CNG buses to replace diesel: Environment friendly CNG buses have finally made their debut in Delhi Airport, about three years after the city graduated to the new fuel. Most airlines operating from Delhi have placed orders with various bus manufacturers, like Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, for CNG tarmac buses.Pending their arrival, the airlines have leased a fleet of 20 odd CNG buses to supplement the ones that they own. The switchover is expected to be completed within thirty days from now, when the new fleet will arrive

The Economic Times, New Delhi, July 21, 2006

Tata Motors offers CNG options for Indica, Indigo:Tata Motors has now launched the Bharat Stage III compliant CNG versions of the Indica and the Indigo Marina vehicles. The option is now available as an after market fitment at the dealer level through a tie-up that the company has entered into with Shrimankar Gas Car Services, the Indian distributors for Bedini CNG kits, Italy.

Business Line, New Delhi, July 21, 2006

Driving hydrogen: the road ahead: A select group of U.S. Government workers, academics and individuals are testing hydrogen-powered vehicles in demonstration projects. With petrol prices continuing to rise, the routine driving done by people is helping researchers develop improvements for the technology, which could form the basis of the next generation of alternative vehicles.

The Hindu, New Delhi, July 21, 2006

Pollution control unsatisfactory: Survey: Pollution, traffic and Regional Transport Office services are the most unsatisfactory features of living in Chennai, according to a sample survey conducted by IIT Madras` Department of Management Studies.

The Hindu, Chennai, July 15, 2006 & www.hinduonnet.com

Fuel scientists see drawbacks to clean hydrogen: Hydrogen, the ultimate clean fuel, may not be very suitable as a conduit of renewable energy because it is wasteful and there are better alternatives, scientists said. One reason that hydrogen is embraced by politicians like US President George W. Bush is that it promises a source of power for cars and buildings that emits only water. The drawback is that hydrogen must first be produced, requiring a primary energy source, and this is where scientists see major obstacles. When environmentally friendly wind electricity is used to generate hydrogen, only one quarter of the energy generated by the wind turbine is eventually used to move a car.

Planet Ark (Internet), Australia, July 10, 2006

Teens, women drive electric two-wheeler sales growth: India`s 7-million unit strong two-wheeler industry is ready for the electric revolution. According to a latest survey by ACNielsen spanning 10 cities, the electric two-wheeler market is estimated at nearly half a million units with the creamy layer comprising 290,000 units across 70 towns. The strongest demographic support to electric vehicles comes from teens, commuting adults and women. In other words the segment most marketers see as the future demographic for the auto industry.

The Economic Times, New Delhi, July 10, 2006

Rival electric cars go head to head: They`re small, eccentric and as quiet as Paris in August. But Britain, obsessed as it is with speed cameras and petrol prices, has unexpectedly become the world capital of electric cars. Next week two models will be launched at the London motor show, bringing to at least six the number of carmakers competing for a slice of the emerging "zero emission" market.

Business Line, New Delhi, July 9, 2006

ABN Amro fund to invest in energy and clean technology Netherlands- based ABN Amro Bank has promoted a global private equity fund for investments in renewable energy and clean technology which will take off in September `06. Confirming the development, the senior executive vice-president of group risk management, co-chairman of the ABN Amro Bank, Herman Mulder, said, “This fund will have a size of 150-200 million euros and will be used to finance infrastructure projects, which are environment-friendly. However, the exact proportion of the fund that would find way into the Indian market has not been decided as yet.”

The Economic Times,New Delhi, 5/17/2006.   www.economictimes.com

Tempo-taxis asked to switch over to CNG by May 15 The RTO in Kanpur has issued directives to officials concerned to ensure that all the temps-taxis were either converted to CNG or replaced by new vehicles run on CNG by May 15. He warned of strict action against tempos drivers who continue to run their diesel-driven vehicles. The RTO said from May 15 onwards all the permits would be cancelled if the tempos drivers/owners did not follow the directive.

The Pioneer, Lucknow, May 8, 2006

SC approves parking policy for Delhi A cent percent increase in the local parking rates and a Rs 100 hike in the day and night parking charges will become effective as soon as the Delhi government’s parking policy gets the nod from the Supreme Court. The MCD parking lots in public places would be charging Rs 10 instead of Rs 5 for the first eight hours and Rs 20 for 24 hours according to the policy, which was vetted by the Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA). A Bench comprising Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal, Justices Arijit Pasayat and S H Kapadia took into account counsel Wasim A Quadri’s statement that Delhi government had modified the parking policy, taking into account EPCA’s recommendations.

The Times of India, New Delhi, May 6, 2006

Unclean fuels kill 1.5m people every year: UN Half the world’s population burns wood, coal, dung and other solid fuels to cook food and heat their homes, exposing them to dangerous smoke that kills 1.5 million people a year, the UN health agency said on Thursday. The World Health Organisation said women and children in Africa and Asia were especially vulnerable to indoor air pollution from open fires and poorly ventilated stoves. Children make up 800,000 of the 1.5 million people who die each year from polluting household fuels, women account for 500,000 deaths and the remaining 200,000 are men. “Day in day out, and for hours at a time, women and their small children breathe in amounts of smoke equivalent to consuming two packs of cigarettes per day,” the WHO said.

The Times of India, New Delhi, May 6, 2006

Truckers get major relief, stay order on entry curbs The Supreme Court stayed the Delhi high court order restraining the entry of trucks in the capital to solve the problem of congestion, giving a major relief to the transport operators. A bench comprising of Chief Justice Y.K. Sabharwal, Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice S.H. Kapadia said, “the high court order restraining the entry of truck for 24 hour in the city is stayed.” The high court order relating to the sealing of godowns of transport operators was also stayed by the bench. But while allowing the trucks to enter the city, the bench also directed that the norms pertaining to the loading and unloading of trucks shall strictly to be adhered to. “The norms shall strictly to be adhered to so that the common man do not get affected in anyway” ordered the bench.

The Asian Age,New Delhi, May 6, 2006

‘Make permanent account number must for vehicle permit in other states too’: The Delhi government’s order for mandatory submission of permanent account number (PAN) and bank account number (BAN) for grant of permit for transport vehicles (both passenger and goods carriers) will set a right example for other states. Other states may replicate the measure to curb transport operators, who have been evading tax for long. Indian Foundation for Transport Research and Training has urged the finance minister and road transport and highway minister to expand the ambit of mandatory submission of PAN and BAN to all states and extension of the network to passenger cars also.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, May 2, 2006

15,000 Shanghai firms to reschedule summer output: Plagued by a short supply of natural gas, some 15,000 companies in shanghai, one of China’s a major economic engines, will have to re-adjust their production in the coming summer. Local power suppliers said that the problem arises as the city tries to use more clean energy, natural gas, and reduce Reliance on coal in order to improve air quality. About 15,000 industrial enterprises are likely to be affected, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, April 27, 2006

Students in England show off $2.9m CNG speedster: Students at the University of Bath in western England, who unveiled the prototype of the CLEVER (Compact Low Emission Vehicle for Urban Transport), hope that it represents a greener future for transport. The prototype, a skeletal speedster which had safety netting in place of body panels, exhibited the general design and technology of the vehicle rather than its actual, finished appearance. It has the compactness of a motorcycle but the safety of a car, and cornering is smoothed by a tilting technology developed by mechanical engineering students Matt  Barker, 29, Ben Drew, 27 and their instructors.

The Times of India, New Delhi, April 26, 2006

Jalandhar among top 10 polluted cities: Smaller cities like Jalandhar and Faridabad are fast replacing metros in the list of country’s most polluted cities. The latest study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), “The leapfrog factor: Clearing the air in Asian cities”, reveals that smaller cities like Raipur, Indore, Jalandhar and Faridabad have now replaced metros on top-10 list as far as the suspended particulate matter, in this case PM-10, pollution in the country is concerned.

The Tribune, New Delhi, APril  23, 2006

Gas Tracks: After taking over the roads, the CNG is changing tracks. Indian Railways is well on course to start running its Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) engines on diesel mixed with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). The results of a year-long pilot study at Delhi’s Shakurbasti Diesel Shed have shown a 50 per cent reduction in consumption of diesel when it is mixed with CNG.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, April  23, 2006

Mercs too hot to handle for pollution inspectors: Owners of some top-of-the-line cars, including Mercedes, have failed to get pollution clearances because transport authorities simply have no way to measure the emission norms of these highly superior Euro 3 and Euro 4 vehicles. There are estimated 75,000 high-tech cars manufactured as per the international norms, registered in the city. Mercedes, Toyota, Honda and Chevrolet etc. come under this category. Moreover, cars in the petrol segment priced above Rs 5 lakh too are failing the tests. Sources in the transport department said these vehicles were failing the test because checking of carbon dioxide and oxygen (without any notification or announcement as per the Motor Vehicle Rules-115) are not compatible with these cars.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, April 23, 2006

Tata’s cheap car plan not feasible, says Suzuki CEO: Osama Suzuki, head of Suzuki Motor Corp, said a plan by Tata Motors to launch a car priced below Rs 1 lakh in India was not feasible in light of the planned advent of stricter safety and environmental regulations. Japan’s Suzuki Motor, through its majority ownership of national brand Maruti Udyog, dominates the burgeoning Indian car market through compact cars like the 800cc Alto and Maruti 800, which cost upwards of Rs 200,000.

The Economic Times, New Delhi, April 22, 2006

Delhi air sickens: If you thought the problem of air pollution in the national Capital stands solved following the introduction of CNG-run buses, you have to think again. The air in Delhi is still so laden with pollutants that it is playing havoc with the health of residents. A 10-year study conducted by the Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute of India, Kolkata, and released by the Centre for Science and Environment says that among healthy, non-smoking adults, as many as 71.4 per cent show respiratory symptoms. Not only that, 26 per cent of Delhiites have chromosomal abnormalities which may ultimately lead to cancer. Even if the polluted air may not be causing these problems all by itself, it is certainly aggravating them. Women and children are especially susceptible. Sixtyfour per cent of the 3,500 children in the 8-16 age group studied in Delhi suffer from lung function impairment, whereas in unpolluted areas like the Sunderbans, only 24 per cent children show this impairment. Overall, 46 per cent of the population in the city suffers from the problem.----Editorial

The Tribune, New Delhi, April 22, 2006

Faridabad’s dubious honour may be bad news for Capital: Faridabad is among the 10 most polluted cities in the country  and a potential health hazard for its immediate neighbours. Experts warn that the air pollution levels in Faridabad is ‘‘a silent killer’’, particularly for residents of South Delhi between Sarita Vihar and Saket. Both the Central Pollution Control Board and the Haryana Pollution Control Board blame this on old polluting vehicles (three-wheelers and phatphats) plying in the town, mushrooming industrial units with boilers and furnaces — particularly those using wood, rice husk and coal — and the two thermal power plants at Faridabad and Badarpur. The pollution here is mainly due to the alarming particulate levels in air. “All these cause severe respiratory and cardiac problems”, says Anumita Roychowdhury of the Centre for Science and Environment. Pollution from local units such as brick kilns, thermocol, plastic and cement factories is already affecting the health of crops, animals and humans.

The Times of India, New Delhi, April 21, 2006

Danger in air, disorders on rise: The air you breathe can make you sick. A 10-year study presented in ‘The Leapfrog Factor’ released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) throws up some startling facts on just how Delhi’s polluted air is affecting its health. The study, conducted by the Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute of India in Kolkata shows that 64% of the 3,500 children in the 8-16 age group studied in Delhi suffer from lung function impairment. In comparison, in an unpolluted area like the Sundarbans, only 24% children show this impairment. Overall, 46% of the population in the city suffers from the problem. As many as 26% of Delhiites have also developed chromosomal abnormalities which may ultimately lead to cancer.

The Times of India, New Delhi, April 21, 2006

Clean it up: In a rapidly urbanising country like India, vehicular pollution is a silent killer — a leading cause of respiratory diseases and premature deaths. The capital is, of course, representative of the country but what is depressing about a new study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the forerunners of Delhi’s 1996 clean air campaign, is the slow reversal of the success story. The reason is the same as when the capital was counted among the ten most polluted cities in the world — the lack of political will to implement policy changes. In the current context, the Delhi government and other state governments as well have failed to heed new challenges...editorial

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, April 21, 2006

Experts call for steps against pollution: Health experts (Pakistan) called upon the government to take urgent measures to ensure that public and private vehicles made greater use of environmentally friendly CNG. Speaking on the second day of an international chest conference, the experts said Quetta was one of the world’s most polluted cities and the number of patients suffering from asthma, tuberculosis and bronchitis and other respiratory diseases was growing. They urged that government to take immediate steps to convert all public and private transport vehicles to CNG and make the provincial capital a neat and clean city as it was until the late ‘60s. They also called for a ban on smoking in government offices and public places and removal of all signboards of tobacco firms in and around the city. The guest speakers’ read out research papers in different sessions

Dawn (Internet), Pakistan, April 21, 2006

Smaller cities becoming pollution hotspots Decline in pollution levels of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata , Ahmedabad and Hyderabad Newer and smaller cities are scaling the pollution peak and are more polluted than even some of the metros, reveals a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) report released by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit here on Wednesday. The report, "The Leapfrog Factor: Clearing the Air in Asian Cities", tackles various issues including rising vehicular air pollution in India. According to experts, Delhi would have been reeling under a pollution load of 38 per cent more particulate matter if the Supreme Court had not intervened to introduce cleaner fuels and emission technology in the city.

The Hindu, New Delhi, April 21, 2006.

‘Rise in number of cars could undo CNG’s effects’ The burgeoning number of private vehicles in Delhi, which now has 17 per cent of all the cars in the country, threatens to undo the healthy effects of introduction of the green fuel CNG for the city buses, according to a new publication. Delhi has more cars than the total number of cars in the states of Gujarat and West Bengal. In fact, 17 per cent of the cars in India run in Delhi alone, according to a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) publication ‘The Leapfrog Factor: Clearing the air in Asian cities’. “The sheer number of vehicles are threatening to undo the gains that the Capital had garnered from improvement in vehicle technology and fuel quality,” says the book.

The Tribune, New Delhi, April 21, 2006.

Mazda to lease gasoline-hydrogen car in Japan: Japan`s Mazda Motor Corp said it will begin leasing a dual-fuel car that can run on both hydrogen and gasoline in the auto industry`s latest effort to reduce oil consumption in vehicles. Most major auto makers are developing zero-emission hydrogen-powered fuel cell cars as a potential alternative to today`s conventional gasoline and diesel engine cars, but believe they are decades away from mass production due to high development costs and lack of infrastructure. Mazda said the RX-8 Hydrogen RE, based on its popular RX-8 sports car, gets around these problems by running on gasoline in the absence of a hydrogen fuelling station, and using existing engine parts and production facilities to lower costs.

Planet Ark (Internet), Australia, Feb. 16, 2006

Govt adopts roadmap for reducing air pollution: The government has introduced Bangladesh-1 and Bangladesh-2 in line with Euro emission norms and adopted a roadmap for improving the air quality of Dhaka and other cities badly afflicted with vehicular pollution. The newly introduced emission norms will come into effect immediately and will be applicable irrespective of locally produced and imported new and reconditioned vehicles run by petrol, diesel and CNG. In this regard, necessary amendments have been made in the relevant schedules of Bangladesh Environment Conservation Rules 1997 pertaining to motor vehicles emission that predominantly contribute to city`s air pollution.

The Bangladesh Observer, Dhaka, Feb. 13, 2006

Indoor air pollution effecting human life: Indoor air pollution is a major health risk that needs to be addressed immediately. The problem is evident in developing countries including Pakistan. Pneumonia, LBW, chronic bronchitis in children is example of this risk. Over two billion of the world’s poorest people in developing countries rely on solid fuels including biomes, which led to indoor air pollution levels many times higher than developed world. According to WHO-Geneva IAP causes lung cancer, TB, cataract, cardiac problems etc in high-risk groups. According to them ways should be developed and evaluated for ensuring access of cleaner fuel for poor communities.

The Nation (Internet), Pakistan, Feb. 9, 2006

Levy of lifetime tax on motor vehicles upheld: The Supreme Court upheld the levy of `lifetime tax` on four-wheelers of non-transport category and `green tax` on all classes of old motor vehicles besides the Motor Vehicle Tax. A Bench of Justice Ruma Pal and Justice A.R. Lakshmanan dismissed a special leave petition at the admission stage, saying: "The State has legislative competence to levy such a tax. The High Court has rightly applied the principles laid down by the apex court and has upheld the constitutional validity of such a levy. We will not interfere." The State Government, on May 19, 2003, passed the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicle Taxation (Amendment) Act, 2003, which provided for lifetime tax and green tax.

The Hindu, Chennai, Jan. 14, 2006

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