Delhi: Diesel
undoing CNG’s good work: Remember the gas chamber that was Delhi in the
mid-1990s, where automobile fumes had wiped the sky clear of stars? The nightmare
could return. The reason is leapfrogging automobile sales, the primary drivers of which
have been diesel-run vehicles that pollute much more than petrol-run ones. With the
diesel-run vehicles more than doubling every year, diesel-run cars have gone from making
up 4 per cent of Delhi’s car population in 1998 to 16 percent in 2003. The government
says it is helpless in the matter. The result is that diesel is slowly beginning to undo
what CNG did for our air. Average Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) emissions for diesel
cars are 0.08 g/km; for diesel multiutility vehicles it is 0.12 g/km, and for diesel
trucks 0.15 g/km. For petrol it is negligible. Pointing out that the enticing gap in the
price of diesel and petrol was a key factor in this distortion, the Centre for Science and
Environment blamed the government for not doing anything to plug the difference even as
Delhi despite having the highest per capita income among all the Metros has the lowest
diesel price.
Source: Hindustan Times, New Delhi, 1/26/2004 and The Hindu, 1/23/2004
Delhi: Hold your breath, for a tight hug from smog:
It’s not only the cold wave that is making life miserable for Delhi’ites these
days. With the air pollution level increasing in the city, smog (smoke mixed with fog) is
also back in the atmosphere, leading to a significant increase in respiratory and cardiac
ailment cases in hospitals. Because of low temperature coupled with high humidity, these
pollutants released by vehicles and other industries remain suspended in the air,
resulting in smog, said Anumita Roy Chowdhury of the Centre for Science and Environment.
For instance in All India Institute of Medical Sciences there has been a substantial
increase in the number of patients who are coming to the Out Patient Department with one
or the other respiratory problems triggered by smog.
Source: The Statesman, New Delhi, 12/26/2003
Delhi: SPM levels low this December, says CPCB study:
Delhi is breathing cleaner air this winter. A comparison between the data on the ambient
air quality in December 2002 and 2003 shows a considerable dip in the level of suspended
particulate matter (SPM) in the air this year. According to a study that the Central
Pollution Control Board (CPCB) conducted between December 1-24 this year at the ITO
intersection, the highest SPM level was recorded at 400 micrograms per cubic metre of air.
But in 2002, the highest reading during the corresponding period was 600 micrograms per
cubic metre of air. The levels of nitrogen oxides have remained somewhat the same as last
year.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi, 1/2/2004
Hyderabad: Waiting to inhale? You are inhaling more
pollutants: The twin cities are wheezing away. They can now lay claim to an unwanted
upsurge-of respiratory diseases, that too not less than 30 per cent. Doctors say that 70
per cent of these cases are due to rise in industrial and vehicular pollution. No wonder!
Every year, 1.25 lakh vehicles are added to the already existing 15 lakh. Superintendent
of the Chest Hospital says that pollution has major part to play in this. Mahaveer
Hospital and Research Centre also treats more than 700 asthma patients on an average. Here
the increase in asthamtic patients is by 20 per cent, when compared to 2001. There are no
guidelines or enforcement agencies to control the pollution levels. The higher incidence
of respiratory diseases is a very natural consequence, says a chest physician.
Source: The New Indian Express, Hyderabad, 1/14/2004
Srinagar: Pollution levels increasing: Pollution
levels are increasing in Srinagar city at a rapid speed. The prime reason for the increase
in pollution is the ever-increasing number of vehicles, which are being added on a daily
basis. Pollution control board (PCB) is having no jurisdiction to take action against the
drivers whose vehicles cause pollution. Office of Regional Transport Officer and
traffic police are the agencies that can take action against the erring drivers and the
owners. But the role of PCB is important as it provides information regarding the
pollution levels of noise and smoke.
Source: The Kashmir Times, Jammu, 12/29/2003
Ahmedabad: Plan to check pollution on anvil: The
Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has formed an action plan to reduce air pollution
after Ahmedabad was declared as one of the most polluted cities in the country. GPCB
action plan has short term and long-term measures to reduce air pollution level. The plan
has been submitted to the Supreme Court, which has directed all major cities to reduce air
pollution. In long-term measures it is been planned to convert all public transport
vehicles on CNG. The private vehicles will have to follow Bharat 3 norms of emissions by
2005, which is likely to solve the vehicular pollution.
Source: The Asian Age, New Delhi, 1/6/2004
Kolkata: Breath of foul air at Victoria: Be
warned, a walk on the grounds of the Victoria Memorial Hall will not fill your lungs with
fresh air alone. A survey of the grounds by the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (PCB)
has revealed that toxic gases, like carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitric
oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), are present in the atmosphere far beyond their
permissible limits. The PCB has installed a sophisticated, automatic air monitoring system
on the Victoria Memorial grounds to check the air quality on the spot. PCB scientists are
blaming auto emissions for the high level of CO in the air.
Source: The Telegraph, Kolkata, 1/19/2004
Experts clear the air on kids’ pollutant
vulnerability: It is an accepted fact that increasing air pollution is the reason
behind widespread respiratory distress. But are children more vulnerable to pollutants in
the air? The answer, according to Dr Chandan Ray, a Consultant pediatrician at the
Bhagirathi Neotia Woman and Child care Centre, is yes. This is because the lungs of
children are are immature and more susceptible to pollution. Children breathe faster and
therefore inhale and absorb a greater volume of contaminants.
Source: The Statesman, Kolkata, 1/22/2004
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| ALTERNATIVE FUELS AND TECHNOLOGY |
Surat Municipal
Corporation to convert all vehicles to CNG: Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC),
Gujarat, has plans to install CNG-based engines in all vehicles engaged by it with a view
to reducing fuel costs and curbing vehicular pollution. Out of the 83 four-wheelers
engaged n hire basis, 40 have already been converted to CNG and 43 would be fitted with
CNG kits in the next couple of months. Allocation has also been made to fit 26 vehicles
owned by the corporation with CNG kits. There are plans to motivate employees having
four-wheelers to convert their vehicles to CNG and for this all possible assistance would
be extended to them, corporation officials said. Each year three to four thousand new
three-wheelers are added to over 40,000 registered auto rickshaws, causing strain on
traffic management. Thus suggestions were floating to suspend registration of new auto
rickshaws for some time.
Source: The Times of India, Ahmedabad, 12/6/2003
CNG to clear Ahmedabad air by year-end; Vadodara next
in line: The stage has been set to introduce CNG in a big way by this year-end in
Ahmedabad. This will be followed by similar conversions to take place in Surat and
Vadodara. Apart from being pollution-free, the fuel is 50% cheaper. Official sources say
that once the Gujarat Motor Vehicles (Use of Clean Fuel) Regulation Bill comes into force
in April 2004, nearly 50,000 auto rickshaws of Ahmedabad, 1,000 state transport (ST)
buses, mainly those plying between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, as also 600 Ahmedabad
Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) buses will be converted into CNG, a green fuel within
three years. Simultaneously, all 15 years old vehicles will be phase out, including 50 per
cent of the buses and auto rickshaws. 30 CNG stations will be operational in Ahmedabad by
the end of this year.
Source: The Times of India, Ahmedabad, 1/10/2004
CNG for urban cities: The Union Government has
drawn up ambitious plans for spreading the benefits of CNG to other urban centers in India
in view of expected improvement in the availability of natural gas and arrival of LNG at
Dahej by the end of January. B K Chaturvedi, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural
Gas, indicated this, while addressing a seminar on Alternative energy driven vehicles at
the 7th Auto Expo 2004, organized jointly by the Confederation of Indian
Industry, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers and the Auto Components
Manufacturers Association of India. He further said that with free availability of natural
gas, it would be possible to start dispensing CNG in cities not covered so far.
Source: The Hindu, New Delhi, 1/20/2004
UP resolves to go CNG in New Year: The New Year
may ring out the smoky diesel buses which have been hurtling regularly from Uttar Pradesh
and plying along with the CNG buses in the Capital. The Delhi government wrested an
assurance from Uttar Pradesh on plying CNG fuelled buses in the Capital within three
months. The transport corporations of the two states arrived at the agreement at a meeting
called here to discuss the possibility of reviving a lapsed agreement between them on
plying of buses in each other’s territories. The agreement had lapsed more than two
years ago but buses from both states had been operating undeterred. It was also decided
that UP would consider exemption of passenger tax from the NCR and submit its report
before the next meeting. Another crucial point of discussion was the plying of UP buses
without authorization in busy transport routes like Vikas Marg reserved for Delhi buses,
leading to traffic jams.
Source: The Indian Express, New Delhi, 12/30/2003
Chennai: LPG for automobiles project losing steam?: The
drive to promote LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) as an alternative to petrol in automobiles
seems to be losing steam in the city for a combination of factors, including complaints of
government apathy made by the oil industry and conversion kit dealers. A year after the
city got its first auto LPG dispensing station (ALDS), only about 700 vehicles running on
gas conforms to the norms, said a conversion kit dealer in south Chennai. These apart
there are around 300 (new) vehicles in which the LPG systems form part of the
original equipment. Other vehicles numbering 30,000 using LPG allegedly violate the norms
either by using unapproved kits or they are not fitted with a tank. The cost of equipment
is proving a stumbling block.
Source: The Hindu, Chennai, 1/22/2004
Hyderabad: Clean air, fatter pockets, LPG rules the
roads now: It comes with twin bonanza – reduction in pollution and more savings
for vehicle users. No wonder, LPG as a substitute for petrol as fuel is in much demand in
the twin cities of Hyderabad, at least for the latter reason, if not for the former! It is
estimated that over 1,300 cars and 200 auto-rickshaws ply on LPG here –all on a dual
fuel system. Many taxi owners too go for LPG. The Central Government, through an amendment
to Section 52 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 has legalized on August 11, 2000 the use of
LPG as alternative fuel. Thus, any alteration to the engine to use this fuel is allowed.
Fuel cost is almost halved when compared to petrol. Transport Department is also all for
it. They are planning to provide a road tax concession to the tune of two per cent in the
next two years.
Source: The New Indian Express, Hyderabad, 1/13/2004
Mumbai: Rich gas troubles auto, taxi drivers: A
heavier, high-energy and high-calorific value gas has upset auto rickshaw and taxi
drivers. Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) is mixing the gas with Compressed Natural gas (CNG)
supplied at CNG filling stations. This gas weighs more and drivers have to pay one-third
extra charges as a result. The gas causes breakdowns in vehicles and provides lower
mileage. MGL is pleading technical difficulties and says it would take around 20 days to
rectify the situation. The auto rickshaw drivers would protest in front of the 34 CNG
refueling stations in the city to press their demand to the State government for providing
CNG at a lower cost. These stations are providing a gas, which is known as "Rich
Gas’.
Source: The Indian Express, Mumbai, 2/6/2004 and The Free Press Journal, 2/4/2004
Lucknow: CNG supply by next year: The city
residents will get Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) supply for their daily needs including
cooking and fuel for vehicles by next year. With an aim to give new direction to
industrial development in Uttar Pradesh state, an agreement is likely to be signed between
the State Industrial Development Corporation and Gas Authority of India Limited. Under the
ambitious scheme, compressed natural gas will be supplied to the state capital for
vehicles from city gas station at Amausi. A techno-feasibility report was also prepared
for the execution of the project.
Source: The Pioneer, Lucknow, 2/4/2004
Biofuels
Fresh deadline set for launch: The Centre has set
January 31 as fresh deadline for oil marketing companies to launch the sale of 5 per cent
ethanol-blended petrol in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. A notification in this
regard, issued on January 1 by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, gives a new
lease of life to the eco-friendly ethanol-mix petrol programme in the State. The state
government in early October last reduced sales tax on ethanol to 8 per cent from 12 plus
the surcharge. The issue is in the long run how to bridge the losses if the price of
ethanol increases.
Source: The Hindu, Chennai, 5, 1/17/2004
Gasohol Consumption Catching Up In States:
Ethanol-blended petrol was first introduced in four districts of Andhra Pradesh-West
Godavari, East Godavari, Khammam and Krishna on November 19, 2002. Later, during September
2003, the sale of blended petrol was extended to five more districts, taking the total to
nine districts in Andhra Pradesh. Blended petrol is available in 1520 petrol outlet in the
state against a total of 1693. The state requires about 3,500 kilolitres of ethanol to
blend five per cent in petrol. Meanwhile BPCL has set up doping facilities in at least 39
locations all over the country but not all of them are operational since there is shortage
of ethanol. Meanwhile the Tariff Commission is expected to submit its report to the
petroleum and natural gas ministry in the pricing of ethanol needed for mandatory blending
of petrol in February 2004. The Commission has now received output cost data from
distilleries all over the country, including those from Maharashtra.
Source: The Financial Express, New Delhi, 1/19/2004 and 1/19/2004
Duty relief for bio-diesel sought: In a bid to
meet the bio-diesel requirements for its pilot project of diesel blending, the petroleum
ministry has sought exemption of import duty on bio-diesel, which is at present not
available in the country. Unlike ethanol blending, bio-diesel blending is highly
uneconomical as bio-diesel is three times costlier than diesel. The prevailing rate of
bio-diesel is Rs 70 per litre. Hence, the ministry reduced the size of its pilot project.
Bio-diesel is extracted from non-edible oils, mainly Jatropha and Karanjia, which can be
grown in arid and semi arid wasteland.
Source: The Statesman, New Delhi, 12/20/2003
Bio-diesel project hits a roadblock: The
ambitious bio-diesel project aimed at reducing the country’s dependence on imported
oil has received a set-back. The Rs 70 per litre price tag of non-edible oil (extracted
from Jatropha and Karanjiain plants), which is mixed with diesel to obtain bio-diesel, has
been found unsustainable by the government for promotion as a green fuel nationally. As a
part of the programme to reduce the country’s huge oil import bill, the government
has recently started projects to test the feasibility of selling doped petrol and diesel.
Source: The Asian Age, New Delhi, 12/20/2003
India treads European path, turns to bio-fuel: Rudolf
Diesel, the inventor of diesel engine, had demonstrated it at the 1900 World Fair using
groundnut oil. More than a century after that, bio-fuels seem set for a comeback. While
the use of biofuels is prevalent in Europe, it could soon pick up in India as well. Indian
Oil, Indian Railways and the Mahindra Group are conducting research in the field. If
successful, bio-diesel could result in substantial reduction in petroleum imports. The
total installed production capacity in EU is more than 2 million tonnes/year and the
production exceeded 1 million tones in 2002. Use of edible oil to produce bio-diesel would
be financially unviable in India.
Source: The Economic Times, New Delhi, 12/27/2003
IOC team to study jatropha oil as fuel: Be it
jetropha or hydrogen, Indian Oil Corporation is there with its research team. The oil
major’s Chairman is confident that its R&D team will find out how to use jetropha
oil — an edible oil from a wild plant, with otherwise no commercial use — in
automobiles, within one year. IOC has tied up with the Indian Railways to use the
latter’s lands to grow the jetropha plant. The plant requires very little water or
other inputs, which makes its cultivation easy and viable. The Union government has
agreed to give IOC Rs 25 crore out of the funds available with the Oil Industry
Development Board (OIDB) to do a research on how to use hydrogen as an automobile fuel.
Source: Business Line, New Delhi, 1/4/2004
Madhya Pradesh: To set up 5 bio-diesel units: The
Madhya Pradesh State Government has sanctioned five bio-diesel extraction units. To be set
up on the pilot basis, each unit will cost Rs 16.85 lakhs. While three units will be set
up by the Madhya Pradesh State Agriculture Development Corporation, one each by the
Jawahar Lal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur and the MP Oil federation. The cost of
bio-diesel extracted from these plants will be Rs 20 per litre. Each unit will extract 500
kg of oil from 1,600 kg of seeds per shift of eight hours. The oil extracted will be
treated with methanol, sodium or potassium hydroxide. It can be used pure or by mixing it
with natural diesel.
Source: Business Standard, New Delhi, 1/07/2004
Task force report soon on bio-diesel: The task
force on implementation of bio-diesel as an alternative for conventional fuel is likely to
submit its report in a month. The project involves the use of "jatropha
curcas" or "ratanjot" oilseeds for extraction of oil that can be
used as a fuel instead of petro diesel. The task force was constituted by the Planning
Commission to chalk out the finer details. The Rural Development Ministry has been
appointed as the nodal agency for the programme implementation. Twenty states has
expressed interest in the project and some has even begun planting of jatropha.
Source: The Hindu, New Delhi, 1/22/2004
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US energy
department to help introduce hydrogen-powered automobiles in India: The US department
of energy will introduce three-wheeled, hydrogen-powered experimental vehicles in India
through a joint project as a possible alternative to small vehicles commonly used in
densely populated cities. In a public-private partnership supported by the US agency for
international development and DOE, US companies specialising in the conversion of engines
to hydrogen power will modify three-wheeled vehicles provided by the Indian auto
manufacturer Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd, according to a DOE press release. One vehicle will
be returned to India for experimental use, another will remain in US for demonstrations.
The ambitious project supported by USAID could have important consequences on air
pollution and transportation in developing countries and the US. USAID’s US-Asia
environmental partnership programme brought the American and Indian partners together and
supported them with $500,000 to pursue the conversion of a three-wheeler internal
combustion engine to run on hydrogen fuel. Source: The Financial Express, New
Delhi, 12/26/2003
Banaras Hindu University demonstrates Hydrogen-fuelled vehicle: The Banaras
Hindu University (BHU) made a further headway in the development of hydrogen-fuelled
vehicles by successfully running a four-wheeler on such a fuel on the university campus.
Sonalika International Cars and Motors Pvt Ltd have developed the four-wheeler. The
BHU had earlier demonstrated a two-wheeler and three-wheeler that were successfully run on
hydrogen. These two vehicles were also demonstrated along with four-wheeler on Thursday.
The team at BHU said that government was making efforts for further research in this
direction and had asked many big oil companies to work in this direction. According to
them work on this is also been going on at the Vehicle Research and Development
Establishments (VRDE).
Source: The Pioneer, Lucknow, 1/16/2004
Plan panel report on hydrogen by March: Planning Commission deputy chairman K C
Pant said a report on the viability of hydrogen as a major energy provider, including auto
fuel, would be out by next month. "Even as other nations are looking at using
hydrogen as a auto fuel, India will also look at using it as a source for generation of
power," he said.
Source: The Pioneer, New Delhi, 2/11/2004
Benaras: Now, India’s own fuel cell vehicles: A three wheeler and
motorcycles running on hydrogen packed at room temperature in a container that looks like
a large tiffin box fitted under the seat. Sounds like a lot of gas?, Or another case of
herbal petrol? For a group of Benaras Hindu Universities (BHU) scientists and the ministry
of non-conventional energy sources, it is a breakthrough in cutting edge fuel technology
achieved after a decade long experiment. Minister of non-conventional energy
flagged off road trials of the technology. The BHU technology uses hydrides to absorb
hydrogen. The fuel box for motorcycles weighs about 17 kg, or twice that of a tank with 10
litres of petrol.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi, 2/8/2004
Kolkata: Mini solar car developed: A mini solar car designed and developed by a
private entrepreneur in North 24 Parganas is being used in the amusement park in Durgapur.
Mr Mridul Hira has developed a two-sitter car run by solar power with battery back up. A
senior official of the West Bengal Rural Electrification Development Authority (WEBREDA)
said that the car will participate in the car rally organised by WEBREDA for solar cars
soon. He said the organization is examining the cost effectiveness of such vehicles.
Source: The Statesman, New Delhi, 1/19/2004
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Pollution awareness drive to hit the road:
Taking up pollution awareness to the streets as a campaign, the Transport Department
is all set to organise a ‘Courtesy Month’ from January 14 in Bangalore. The
department will hold various programmes for a month to educate people about causes and
impact of environmental pollution. Administering an oath of protecting the environment to
school and college students, a humour meet, competitions like elocution, quiz, and street
plays, exhibition of banners and posters, screening of documentaries, cultural programmes
and checking of vehicles are part of the campaign, said Mr I M Vittala Murthy, transport
commissioner, at a press conference. Artistes, environmentalists, non-government
organisations (NGOs), resident welfare associations, driving school personnel and garage
owners will take active part in the programme. The programme will conclude with a human
chain on the outer ring road.
Source: Deccan Herald, Bangalore, 3, 1/10/2004Speed norms for heavy vehicles flawed: The maximum permissible limit for
heavy vehicles, including trucks and buses, in Delhi is just 40 km per hour and the Delhi
traffic police love it since it provides them an opportunity to fine offenders easily. The
logic appears flawed in the wake of a study, which illustrates that emissions increase
dramatically when the speed of the vehicle is less. A senior Delhi Traffic Police officer
concurred that the speed limit of vehicles in Delhi needs to be enhanced by at least 10 km
per hour. The rule of 40 km per hour speed limit has made Delhi’s public transport
corporation squirm. Its official insist that not only does this limit lead to more
pollution, it is also unpractical as adhering to it would mean delay in travel for
commuters, more traveling and idling time for vehicles, and consequently more exhaustion
of drivers.
Source: The Hindu, New Delhi, 1/25/2004
Delhi: Autos being driven without valid fitness
certificates: A fresh crackdown on errant auto rickshaw drivers in the Capital has
revealed some interesting yet shocking facts including plying of "unfit"
vehicles putting at peril the safety of the passengers. A majority of the three-wheeler
drivers were found to be driving their vehicles without any valid fitness certificate,
without a valid driving licence and, without any valid permits. Officials points out that
if the vehicles does not carry a COF, then the permit is also deemed to be invalid. The
Delhi Transport Minister, Haroon Yusuf, who is personally monitoring the drive, informed
that 940 auto rickshaws have been impounded during the last one week. The Enforcement Wing
teams of the Department checked a total of 12,226 vehicles during this drive and 2,819
vehicles were challaned. The drive has unearthed the fact that 127 auto rickshaws were
found driving around the city without valid permits, 22 without COF, 482 without valid
driving licenses, 822 without proper uniform, 1494 without valid badges and in 64 cases,
the meters were found not in order.
Source: The Hindu, New Delhi, 1/23/2004
Delhi: Government reluctant to convert its fleet to
CNG: While the Sheila Dikshit Government has been harping on its "Clean Delhi -
Green Delhi" slogan asking Delhiites to adopt it in letter and in spirit, observers
here point out that the Government’s own track record on the matter is debatable. It
has shown little inclination to implement the same norm for its own fleet of polluting
vehicles. In fact, the Delhi Cabinet has been looking for new vehicles for the Chief
Minister and her ministerial colleagues, conveniently forgetting its own
"contribution" to the deteriorating environment in the Capital. The reluctance
on the part of government to convert to CNG fuel has raised questions about its commitment
for Clean and Green Delhi. The conversion to CNG would involve around 700 government
vehicles and also reduce the cost and fuel consumption. The government would save around
Rs 12 per litre if the present fleet were converted to CNG.
Source: The Hindu, New Delhi, 1/8/2004
Kolkata: Transport operators clueless over Bharat II: With
the Bharat Stage II clock ticking away, there is little the Kolkota city’s public
transport operators have done to meet the deadline specified. Their plea: cities like
Delhi were given much more time in addition to government subsidy to facilitate the
changeover. With the High Court deadline breathing down their neck, most transport unions
have come up with their own methods to tackle the crisis. The Bengal Bus Syndicate,
which operates 13,000 buses statewide, has come up with its own "catalyst
diesel" and electronic (tube) catalyst to bring down pollution emissions. According
to the transport department estimates, only 30 to 40 per cent of vehicles in the public
transport system are of post 1992 make and hence can be converted- the rest will have to
be replaced.
Source: The Statesman, Kolkata, 12/17/2003
Bengal not doing enough on emission norms, says HC:
The Calcutta High Court today said the West Bengal Government was not doing enough to
ensure that motor vehicles plying within the Kolkata metropolitan area conformed to Bharat
Stage II norms. A division bench comprising the Chief Justice, Mr A K Mathur, and Mr
Justice A K Banerjee, while admitting a writ petition, directed the West Bengal Government
to file an affidavit in the matter. The petitioner alleged that the Regional Transport
Authority here was issuing new route permits to old buses, which did not conform to BS II
norms, violating the guidelines that new route permits for city buses would be issued only
to BS II compliant buses. The court had on April 3, 2003 directed the government to ensure
that all vehicles plying in Kolkata conformed to BS II emission standards by April 2004.
Source: Business Line, New Delhi, 1/17/2004
98,376 vehicles challaned till Nov-end: Under the
drive launched against illegal plying of vehicles in Uttar Pradesh, 2,73,319 vehicles were
checked till November end in the current financial year of which 98,376 were challaned.
Besides 38,233 vehicles were impounded at police stations on the charges of having fake
permits, rash driving and other complaints. During the checking, which was intense in
different districts of the state, Rs 19.29 crore were realized on the spot in shape of
various taxes, Rs 3.93 crore more than that realized last year. The transport department
has now decided to concentrate on the illegal plying of jeeps and matadors and a drive
will be launched against these vehicles very soon.
Source: The Pioneer, Lucknow, 1/5/2004
Five-year road tax challenged: The Automobile
Association of Eastern India (AAEI) moved a petition in Calcutta High Court, challenging
the state government’s decision making it mandatory for four-wheeler owners to pay
road tax for a five-year period at a time. The AAEI, challenging the West Bengal
Additional and One-time tax on motor vehicles (second amendment) act, 2003, pleaded
in the court that the decision be set aside as it was "against natural justice".
The petition was admitted and set for judgment on Tuesday. The petition also challenged
the fixing of road tax on the basis of cubic capacity instead of a vehicle’s overall
weight. The government had issued a notification in August asking private vehicle owners
to pay road taxes for five years at a time.
Source: The Telegraph, Calcutta, 12/23/2003
Delhi: Diesel vehicle owners distort PUC checks: It
is a proven fact that diesel vehicles pollute most as compared to vehicles running on
other fuels. However, only 20 percent of the vehicles booked by the enforcement officials
in the ongoing campaign for possessing invalid pollution under control (PUC) certificates
are diesel vehicles. Though 30 per cent of the 11.9 lakh private four-wheelers in Delhi
are running on diesel very few of the offenders get caught because it is quite easy to get
a PUC certificate for a diesel vehicle. During the test, most drivers do not press the
accelerator completely so that less smoke makes the reading show fewer pollutants, said
Anumita Roychowdhary, of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi, 1/5/2004
Delhi: PUC drive on in full swing: Delhi transport
department officials have booked over 450 motorists for driving without a valid pollution
under control (PUC) certificate. The prosecutions have been made under the fortnight-long
drive launched on New Year’s Day. Of the 1,242 vehicles checked on the first day, 218
were found to be running without a valid PUC certificate. On Friday, 1,336 vehicles were
checked. The numbers of motorists challaned till the evening were 210. Two teams of
enforcement officials have been assigned to each district in the city. The squads have
been positioned at different intersections within their respective districts. Motorists
are required to keep a check on the emission levels of their vehicles under section 115 of
the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1999.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi, 1/3/2004
Vehicle operators flay Govt’s decision: The
government’s decision to impose a ban on eight-year-old commercial vehicles has met
with mixed responses. The court order has ordered petrol and diesel fuelled vehicles to
convert to gas failing. But the move has not rested well with the truckers who feel
that such moves would rob those who cannot afford the expensive change from fuel to gas of
their trucks. The change to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) would yield better results. The
president of the Bombay Taximan Union, Quadros however informed that due to the
availability of government loans to all 50,000 taxis have now converted into LPG or CNG.
Source: The Free Press Journal, Mumbai, 12/13/2003
Hyderabad: Who bells RTC pollution? Not RTA for sure:
This fight has transcended the roads. The warring parties are the APSRTC and the Road
Transport Authority, of Andhra Pradesh, and the bone of contention, pollution. RTA’s
pollution under control certificate is not binding on RTC for the simple reason that the
latter monitors its buses on its own and gives clean chits to all. RTC has been issuing
the PUC certificate to its buses even though some vehicles are known to let out black
smoke, says RTC official CLN Gandhi. However RTC city regional manager counters the
contention citing RTA’s poor infrastructure. RTC buses form one per cent of the 15
lakh vehicles plying on city roads.
Source: The New Indian Express, Hyderabad, 1/13/2004
Hyderabad: Networked PTCs to help curb pollution: A
small but definitive beginning has been made to monitor emission levels of automobiles at
different pollution testing centres in the city. The Society of Indian Automobile
Manufacturers, in partnership with the State Transport Department, launched the networking
of pollution test centres. These way authorities can know which particular brand
and model causes more pollution. Transport Commissioner, at RTA office premises in
Khairatabad, inaugurated the network aided by United States Agency for International
Development and ICICI Bank. As a part of a trail run, the system will connect seven
pollution test centers and the data of each vehicle tested will be sent to the Transport
Department. This is for the first time that this concept has been introduced for the first
time in India and it would enable the RTA to see the emissions data of any vehicle plying
in the city. Once all 146 centres in Hyderabad are connected it would also be possible to
analyse the emission of different vehicles categories.
Source: The New Indian Express, Hyderabad, 1/10/2004
Hyderabad: Rs 1 crore for pollution check plus inertia:
Computer bug has bitten AP Pollution Control Board too. It is planning to set up a
computerised centre to monitor air pollution at Punjagutta. The cost is a whopping Rs 1
crore. Understandably, many tongues are working overtime. The PCB member secretary said
that the center would solve the staff shortage problem and would also provide data of
pollution levels for every minute. The manual equipment called respirable dust sampler,
sucks the air and filters the finer particles. These particles are then analysed in the
laboratory. The computerized gadget manufactured by Spectrochem, has an electronic
analyzer.
Source: The New Indian Express, Hyderabad, 1/22/2004
Panjim has no authorised PUC centre: Motorists
beware! The capital city of Goa has no authorised centre to issue Pollution Under Control
Certificates for vehicles. At least one centre continues to issue PUCs and no action is
being taken against it despite the Transport Department lodging a complaint with the
police. While on one hand the traffic cell continues to fine vehicles owners in Panjim for
not carrying PUCs issued by authorized outlets, on the other hand the government seems to
have kept pending files for approval of those centers whose authorization have lapsed
during the last six months. It is learnt that Panjim has only four outlets, which issued
PUCs under the approval and authorization of the government and Department of Transport.
Source: Herald, Panjim, 1/6/2004
Mumbai: Truck owners curse their way to the deadline: The
CNG deadline is four days away. The city’s truck and tempo owners-who have to convert
from the smoky diesel system to the green fuel called compressed natural gas-are divided.
The two biggest unions are ready to wait it out till the government applies for another
extension of the deadline. No CNG kits for trucks are available in the state
at the moment. The 8-year-old ban is turning out to be very difficult for everybody.
Meanwhile in another development the state government is likely to file review petition in
the Supreme Court to extend the January 31, deadline.
Source: The Indian Express, Mumbai, 1/28/2004 and The Free Press Journal, 1/29/2004
We need better cars to check pollution: Experts: It’s
not just automobile fuel, automobiles themselves need to be cleaner if we’re to stop
Delhi’s air from getting progressively more toxic. Environment experts have backed a
proposal to fast track to Euro IV emission norms by supplying cleaner diesel to
metropolitan India, but feel it is equally — if not more — important to have
vehicles that burn fuel better and have lower evaporative emissions. However, experts feel
that with a staggering 350-plus vehicles being added to the Capital’s roads every
day, ULSD alone may not be able to check pollution. Euro IV must be adopted sooner than
scheduled, and both fuel quality and vehicle technology must be improved, Anumita Roy
Chowdhury of CSE said.
Source: The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, 2/13/2004
Delhi: Old vehicles continue to ply and pollute: The
transport department’s promise of a clean and green Delhi may well be all sound and
fury signifying nothing. Seven years after the Supreme Court fixed 15 years as the life
span of a commercial vehicle, the department has yet to act. The result: 10,000 old
vehicles pollute Delhi every day. The government initially launched a drive to phase out
vehicles older than 15 years by "de-registering" them. But the exercise has
ground to a halt in the past two years. Most defaulters are auto rickshaws. When the
Supreme Court issued the order, there were 86,000 petrol autos. Of these, 51,518 were
replaced with CNG autos. Of the remaining 35,000, only 14,000 have been
"de-registered". The department does not know where the remaining 21,000
autos are. Phased-out autos are running in areas like Nand Nagri, Najafgarh and Nangloi,
said an official.
Source: The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, 2/2/2004
Don’t choke waiting for CNG, go straight to Euro
IV, says Government study: At present, Euro IV fuel (the kind used all over Europe, US
and Hong Kong) is scheduled to be introduced in India only by 2010. That, too, after the
Government takes up the issue in 2006. That’s too late—and not at all wise, says
an unprecedented study by The Energy Resources Institute (TERI) supported by the Indian
and the UK governments. The study found that Euro IV diesel is, environmentally, as good
as CNG when supplied to the existing fleet of buses fitted with particulate traps. Euro IV
is diesel with sulphur content of 50 ppm (parts per million) or called as Ultra Low
Sulphur Diesel (ULSD). At present, the fuel available in metros is Euro II or 500 ppm
sulphur. Polluted cities in the country, besides the metros, need not wait for CNG to
reach them if they can leapfrog to Euro IV.
Source: The Indian Express, New Delhi, 2/11/2004
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|
| TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC |
|
Traffic restraint
scheme is theoretical, say experts: Can numbers solve Mumbai’s peak-hour traffic
chaos? A proposed traffic-restraint scheme, if implemented by the state government, could
help decongest roads in south Mumbai. According to the scheme, private vehicles would be
banned from the roads on particular days in accordance with the last digit of their
registration numbers. While environmental experts believe the scheme would help control
not only traffic but also air pollution levels, transport experts feel the idea is too
theoretical given the city’s overloaded public transport system. The V M Lal
Committee appointed by the Bombay High Court had among its 101 recommendations in April
2000 suggested ways to decongest the city traffic. Last week in the Bombay high court,
state counsel S K Nair sought three weeks time to file an affidavit to explain the
government’s stand on the scheme.
Source: The Times of India, Mumbai, 3, 1/14/2004
Optimise public transport, says LG: Lt Governor
Vijai Kapoor on Sunday said the duplication and wastage of resources involved in having
bus routes parallel to the operational Shahdara-Tis Hazari corridor of the Metro rail
should be completely obviated. Mr Kapoor stated this at a meeting held to review the
optimising of public transport in the city and achieving better integration of the Metro
rail with the road transport. The LG reiterated that it was necessary to fully
utilise Metro Rail as a clean and efficient mode of transport in the Capital.
Source: The Pioneer, New Delhi, 1/5/2004
Delhi: Metro covers running cost: Even before the
lucrative Rohini section goes on track, the Delhi metro project is achieving operational
break-even on the 12.4 km Shahdara-Trinagar section. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation
(DMRC) is receiving between Rs 5.5 lakh and Rs 6 lakhs from fare-box collection and Rs 1
lakh from property development on the Shahdara-Trinagar section. Average passenger traffic
of 80,000 people a day has been recorded. As per the estimates, the Delhi metro is
expected to carry 2.2 million people a day, once the first phase goes on stream. With
around 20 per cent of its revenue coming by way of property development, the Metro is
banking on higher revenue flow from the non-operational sources once the proposed infotech
park and shopping malls gets underway. The DMRC plans to emulate the Hong Kong metro by
leveraging its real estate potential seems to be on track. The Hong Kong metro is only the
profitable metro in the world and has stayed out of the red by raising additional revenue
through the property development.
Source: Business Standard, New Delhi, 1/16/2004
Delhi: High Capacity Bus arrives today: Delhi’s
first high capacity bus is scheduled to arrive on Jan 14. The Delhi Government is keen to
introduce the high capacity bus on the Moolchand and Ambedkar Nagar corridors, by the end
of the month. The government had ordered 30 high capacity buses each costing about Rs 25
lakhs. Transport Minister Haroon Yusuf said that the first high capacity bus is expected
to reach late on Monday night and another 10 buses are expected to reach by March. Mr
Yusuf also said that the government is keen to introduce such buses in the city as early
as possible. A trial run will begin by the end of this month, added Mr Yusuf. The Delhi
government decided to run high capacity buses on the existing roads. Earlier it was
decided that these buses would run on only select corridors in the capital. But, no these
buses will fight on the road space with the Blueline and DTC buses. Sources in the
Transport Department disclosed that bureaucratic hurdles have forced the department to ply
the high capacity buses on general routes. The buses will run on CNG and will be 18 metre
in length. It will have a capacity to carry 150 passengers as compared to the capacity of
64 passengers in a normal bus.
Source: The Pioneer, New Delhi, 1/14/2004 and The Statesman, New Delhi, 1/13/2004
Delhi: Rise in number of vehicles: The total
number of vehicles registered in Delhi has gone up to 3.88 million in 2002 as compared to
2.85 million in 1997, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Pon Radhakrishnan
said in a written reply. Implementations of Metro Railway System, high capacity bus
system and electric metro system in selected corridors in phases are some of the important
measures to facilitate mass transportation and reduce traffic.
Source: The Tribune, New Delhi, 12/19/2003
Neighbours want to replicate Metro: Neighbours’
envy. Delhi’s pride. Our very own Metro Rail is about to have its day out. It is
finding a fan following in several countries, including Pakistan and SriLanka. These
"next door" nations want to replicate the system to solve their transport
problems. Dubai and Iran, too, have shown interest. Some foreign delegations are
keen to study the contactless ticketing system and implement it in their countries. Delhi
metro is the first system where the passenger can travel on contactless token.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi, 12/26/2003
Delhi: World-class transport system for city: About
1,200 swanky bus stops, choice of air-conditioned or non-AC buses, fast moving electric
trolleys, smart cards... This is the beautiful picture that the transport department is
dreaming for Delhi. But it is to be seen if it turns out to be a reality or fizzles out as
a pipedream. CM Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday held a review meeting of transport department in
which she said that world-class transport infrastructure should be the thrust area. The CM
even directed to change the colour of buses and taxis, build more motor driving training
schools and bus stops that can give a different look to the city. The Transport Minister
said the future planning must accommodate options for fast moving public transportation.
Pollution free electric trolleys will also ply, if possible in the congested walled city.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi, 1/29/2004
Idle funds: CM pulls up transport dept: The Delhi
Transport department was pulled up by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit for poor expenditure
on the planned projects. The department, sources said, has spent just about 40 per cent of
the planned fund even as three-fourth of the financial year is over. The department’s
planned fund size is Rs 637.88 crore, of which only Rs 260.49 crore has been spent. At the
transport department’s review meeting, the officials pleaded that elections had put a
speed bump in spendings for two months. ‘‘But Dikshit said, the amount spent is
too low. The department should have at least spent 50 to 60 per cent of the planned
fund,’’ divulged a source. Dikshit ruled out privatization of DTC but asked the
Principal Secretary (Transport) to prepare a report on its restructuring. "The
department will now make five corridors for HCBs. It was also that the electric trolley
buses will run on two corridors – Hari Nagar-Central secretariat and Badarpur-Pragati
Maidan. Regarding bus shelters the new ones will be coming up at 1,500 bus stops within
two months. "By March 31, the new-design shelters will be built at the cost of Rs one
lakh each," the STA official said.
Source: The Indian Express, New Delhi, 3supp, 1/28/2004
Delhi: Transport system in for major overhaul: The
Transport Department of the Delhi Government is on the move. Apart from ushering in
reforms to upgrade the public transport system, the Department has also evolved a vision
for the future with the basic thrust being on modernisation and introduction of latest
technology. The concept of local transport is in for a massive change with the proposed
introduction of modern, upmarket, aerodynamic, comfortable and latest colourful buses,
taxis and auto rickshaws plying on the Delhi roads. According to the plan approved by the
Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, the present lot of gaudy looking public transport buses in
Delhi would be phased out in a systematic manner over the next few years. The government
is planning to put in place a regulatory body for deciding fares in the public transport
system. Ultimately the auto rickshaws would also have to switch over to the radio paging
system. The capital and its public transport system will have to keep pace with changing
times and technological up gradation will have to be an ongoing process.
Source: The Hindu, New Delhi, 1/25/2004
Fiat to unveil diesel sedan in India: The Indian
unit of Italy’s Fiat Auto Spa plans to introduce a new diesel sedan in the local
market in April, hoping to take advantage of a preference for diesel cars in the country.
An official at Fiat India Ltd told Reuters the diesel sedan will be powered by the same
1.9 litre engine that powers its flagship Palio hatchback and the Adventure estate and
will be called the Petra.
Source: The Indian Express, New Delhi, 2/18/2004
Submit feasibility report on metro project, AP told: The
centre is willing to award the Rs 3,500-crore metro services project for Hyderabad,
keeping in view the increasing pressure on city roads, according to Mr Bandaru Dattareya,
Union Minister of State for Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation. Announcing this at
the inaugural of second phase of Multi-Modal Transport System (MMTS), the Minister asked
the Andhra Pradesh Government to submit a feasibility report. The government would
seek Japanese help to complete the project. The MMTS service had a total capacity
of 68,000 seats, but now only 14,000 are being occupied.
Source: Business Line, New Delhi, 2/15/2004
US patents for Konkan’s sky-bus: The
Government bagged two patents on technology and service for the Konkan Railway’s
sky-bus metro project from the United States’ patent office. Konkan Railway officials
told The Pioneer, the international copyright codes would help both enhance the image of
Indian Railways in the international market and curb infringement on indigenous products
and services. Officials agreed that the nation’s public sector engineering
enterprises have realised the importance of copyright protection amid fierce global
competition.
Source: The Pioneer, New Delhi, 5, 2/10/2004
^Top
| NATIONAL
& LOCAL POLICY INITIATIVES |
|
Goa government to
ban vehicles over 20 years from Jan: The Goa government today decided to take all old
(20 years and above) heavy and public transport vehicles, including privately-owned ones,
off the roads from January 1, 2004. Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar, announced at a
post-cabinet briefing, that the ordinance banning these 20-year and older vehicles on the
State s roads will be issued on January 1, 2004. Mr Parrikar also said an annual green
cess of Rs 250 will be levied on all 20-year and older two-wheelers, while other vehicles
will be levied a Rs 500 fee per year in addition to other road taxes, etc.
Source: Herald, Panjim, 12/16/2003
Bangalore: Plan to improve air quality approved: The
Karnataka State government has approved the ‘Air Quality Improvement Action
Plan’ for Bangalore City within the Outer Ring Road limits, specifically dealing with
Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM). A Government Order approving the plan,
which also proposes the construction of two flyovers and one railway underpass by March
2004 has been issued on December 2. The plan drawn out by the ‘Task Force on Control
of Air Pollution in Bangalore City, is an integrated, inter-departmental plan-of-action
involving the departments of Transport, Home, Food and Civil Supplies, Urban Development,
the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board
and the Indian Oil Company Ltd. Supreme Court had in August asked the State to draw
up a ‘Plan of Action for lowering the rate of RSPM in Bangalore city after it was
found to be among the seven cities in the country with alarming levels of pollution. Increasing
sales tax, imposition of entry tax on white kerosene, ‘No PUC- no fuel’ scheme
in petrol, diesel dispensing stations are some of the measures suggested.
Source: Deccan Herald, Bangalore, 12/25/2003
Delhi: Rs 2.5 crore sanctioned for high-capacity
buses: The Finance Department of the Delhi Government has agreed to sanction Rs 2.5
crore for purchase of six high-capacity buses, each costing Rs 37 lakh. Earlier, the
department had sought clarification from the Transport Department for introducing the
state-of-the-art buses in the Capital. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and former Transport
Minister Ajay Maken had promised to introduce the buses by the first quarter of 2004. The
government had spent Rs 50 lakh on the feasibility report of the proposed buses. Rail
India Technical and Engineering Services had also prepared a detail report on the Ambedkar
Nagar-ISBT corridor. The first six buses would run on trial basis on the Ambedkar
Nagar-Moolchand corridor.
Source: The Pioneer, New Delhi, 1/21/2004
Delhi may tax CNG, hike duty on diesel: With the
elections behind it, the Sheila Dikshit government is gearing up to take some tough
decisions. A tax on compressed natural gas (CNG) along with a hike in duty on diesel is on
the cards, which would translate into higher public transport fares for commuters. A
decision on the tax on CNG has been pending for sometime, with sales tax department
suffering about Rs 400 crore losses because of the exemption on CNG. The budget for the
next financial year could see a change in CNG tax-exempt status. The tax on diesel
meanwhile is below the sales tax floor rate of 12 per cent. The budget could also see a 4
per cent hike in sales tax on diesel.
Source: Business Standard, New Delhi, 1/5/2004
UP Government to set up body to develop highways: Uttar
Pradesh will set up a state highways authority for the improvement and development of its
9,000-km-long highways. The new body will be on the lines of the National Highways
Authority of India. The state Cabinet decided to levy a five per cent entry tax for diesel
vehicles from January 2004. Funds collected through this tax will go to the authority. The
state secretary said that the authority would be responsible for improving the condition
of present roads and the construction of new bridges on state highways.
Source: The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, 1/1/2004
No ban on DTC by UP, says Haroon:
Even as senior transport department officials claimed that their buses are being routinely
stopped without any valid argument by the state transport authorities in Uttar Pradesh,
the Delhi transport minister, Mr Haroon Yusuf, said that no order has been passed by the
UP government. For the past 20 days, the DTC buses going to UP are being stopped and made
to stand for hours by the UP state transport authority, because of the pressure being
exerted by the private transporters on the UP government, since they are losing lot of
revenue daily.
Source: The Statesman, New Delhi, 12/23/2003
Kolkata: Uniform hues for green cars: As a part of
its exercise to comply with the high court directive on enforcement of Bharat Stage II
(BSII) emission standards for vehicles plying in the Calcutta Metropolitan Area (CMA), the
government has decided to create distinctive colour schemes for BS II-enabled vehicles.
Apart from the distinctive colour to be painted on buses, according to the plan a
sticker provided by the public vehicles department. The transport department is trying to
set up enough emissions testing centers.
Source: The Telegraph, Kolkata, 12/30/2003
Indore: Less smoke-emitting vehicles to play on 17 new
routes: In order to ban tempos in Indore city less smoke-emitting vehicles will be
introduced on 17 different routes and preference for new vehicles would be given to those
already having temporary or permanent permits. The decision was taken at a meeting held
between district administration and office-bearers of tempo unions, an official release
said. Apart from this, 17 new routes will be declared for the new vehicles and
minimum 20 and maximum 50 permits will be granted for each route. Meanwhile, police
announced that strict action would be taken against drivers using kerosene as fuel. The
Superintendent issued an order in this connection instructing the police to take action
against the vehicle drivers flouting this rule.
Source: The Free Press Journal, Mumbai, 12/26/2003
CPCB to set up 6 air monitoring stations: In a bid
to get more accurate trend on air pollution level prevailing in the Capital and
accordingly devise policies to address it, the Central Pollution Contol Board has decided
to set up six automatic air monitoring stations in Delhi. The air monitoring stations,
which will be installed in the next six months, will record the ambient air quality level
in the respective areas where it is installed every minute on a continuous basis. The
monitoring stations will have facilities to check levels of sulphur dioxide, oxides of
nitrogen, carbon monoxide, particulate matter and ozone in the atmosphere. Each monitoring
station will cost approximately Rs 70 lakh. While the World Bank will fund 40 per cent of
the total cost, the ministry of environment and forests will fund the remaining.
Source: The Statesman, New Delhi, 12/26/2003
Sale of loose mobil oil banned: With an aim to
check pollution level in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, the district administration has imposed a
ban on the sale of loose 2T mobil oil with immediate effect.
According to the directive issued by District Magistrate
Navneet Sehgal, the order would be applicable throughout the district including the
municipal limit, rural areas and cantonment board.
The order would also cover petrol-pumps and other
establishments where loose 2T oil was being sold. With an aim to check pollution number of
directives had been issued by the Apex court. It had directed the authorities to prepare
an action plan in this regard.
Source: The Pioneer, Lucknow, 12/27/2003
Delhi government’s new fleet to run on CNG: In
an eco-friendly move, Delhi government has decided to convert all its vehicles to CNG
mode. The vehicles will also have a petrol tank, as a reserve. The decision was taken at
the transport department’s review meeting on January 27. Confirming the move,
Transport Commissioner Rajeev Talwar said: The vehicles currently used by Delhi government
departments mostly run on petrol and some on diesel. Any new addition or replacement of
vehicles will now be on eco-friendly CNG. Formal orders will be issued by principal
secretary (transport) shortly. There are about 1,000 vehicles and most of them are either
ambassadors or Maruti gypsys being used by Delhi government officials and political
executives. The move comes four years after the Supreme Court asked the government to put
all its vehicles on the CNG mode.
Source: The Indian Express, New Delhi, 1/30/2004
Bangalore: BMTC buses set to take art to Bangalore
roads: The Bangalore Transport Department launched 50 BMTC buses that have been
painted on by various artists as part of the ‘Courtesy Month’. The focus of this
initiative is on pollution. Each artist has used a bus as his canvas and painted motifs
depicting pollution. The buses will now run on their regular routes and the Transport
Department is confident that the messages will reach out to more people all over the city.
Source: The New Indian Express, Bangalore, 1/26/2004
^Top
BEST must scrap
old buses by 2006: Mumbai city’s public transport undertaking got a breather on
Friday with the Bombay High court allowing it to scrap its old buses by January 1, 2006.
The court directed the BEST buses over 15 years of age be phased out and replaced with
Euro II or CNG buses. Currently the BEST has more than 700 buses that are over 15 years
old. The Bench also directed the undertaking to induct at least 100 CNG buses per
year for a period of six years starting 2004-5. Enlisting targets for retrofitment, the
court directed BEST to retrofit at least 250 buses with Euro II engines during 2004-05,
300 buses in 2005-06, 350 in 2005-6, and 400 buses in 2007-08.
Source: The Times of India, Mumbai, 12/20/2003
SC notice on spiked oil: The Supreme Court today
issued notices to Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL), and
IBP, apart from the Uttar Pradesh and Haryana governments on an application alleging that
adulteration of petrol and diesel, with the connivance of company officials and
authorities, was a big business in the National Capital Region. The application was moved
by senior counsel Harish Salve, who was acting as ‘the friend of the court’ in
the case dealing with vehicular pollution in Delhi. He said despite the introduction of
CNG as fuel, the pollution in the Capital was way above permitted levels. Salve also said
the number of motor vehicles in the Capital was shooting up.
Source: Business Standard, New Delhi, 1/24-25/2004
How will you rein in jams, vehicles: Court asks Delhi
government: Taking Delhi government to task for not preparing a blueprint to ensure
that the Capital’s air remains pollution free, the Supreme Court today asked the
government to detail a strategy to control the number of vehicles and traffic congestions.
The apex court took the Centre for Science and Environment’s statement of concern as
interim application. The application pointed out that despite enormous effort and
substantial gains following the Supreme Court initiative to combat air pollution, the
city’s air remains polluted. The Chief Justice expressed his shock at the state of
affairs.
Source: The Indian Express, New Delhi, 1/24/2004
Mumbai: Government to file review
petition in SC: With the assembly elections round the corner, the Maharashtra
government seems to have hit upon an ingenious plan to woo the transporters who form a
powerful lobby in Maharashtra. As if to please the lobby, the state government has decided
to file a review petition in the Supreme Court urging it to extend the deadline for
conversion of old vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) mode stating that the
atmosphere here is not conductive for such a transformation.
Source: The Free Press Journal, Mumbai, 1/24/2004
Mumbai: SC puts brakes on older heavy vehicles: In
a major blow to the city transporters the Supreme Court refused to extend the January 31
deadline for eight-year-old heavy vehicles to convert to compressed natural gas (CNG) or
be phased out. The court also refused the Maharashtra government’s plea to stay the
phase-out order passed by the Bombay high court. The apex court told the state to move the
high court for any relief. With 60 to 70 per cent of the heavy vehicles estimated
to be over eight years old, transporters have warned that the city’s vegetable and
food supply will be hit.
Source: The Times of India, Mumbai, 2/4/2004
^Top
Check impure fuel, says Delhi agency: The high
ratio of vehicles in proportion to road capacity, the failure to control fuel adulteration
and unauthorised LPG conversions are some of the important factors which need to be
addressed to reduce air pollution in Bangalore city, according to Mr Bhurelal, chairman,
Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority, New Delhi. Expressing concerns
over the large number of three-wheelers running with unauthorized converted LPG kits and
using domestic LPG cylinders, Bhurelal felt this was very dangerous and had to be checked.
Reports have found that Bangalore has a three to one ratio of vehicles to road capacity. A
major concern is the drastic increase in the population of vehicles in Bangalore compared
to other cities in the country.
Source: The Asian Age, New Delhi, 12/24/2003
Karnataka government told to check use of adulterants
in petrol: The Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority, New Delhi
brought to the attention of Karnataka State Government the indiscriminate use of
adulterants in vehicles resulting in pollution. Addressing a press conference Environment
Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) Chairman Bhurelal, who was here to
discuss the Air Quality Improvement Action Plan for Bangalore City with NGOs and officials
said that the Government should keep a check on the consumption pattern of kerosene,
naphtha, solvent and light diesel oil (LDO), which were used in adulterating petrol and
diesel. He regretted that conviction rate for the offence of adulteration is low because
of technicalities. Mr Bhurelal said that the petrol companies must be made responsible for
the use of adulterants in fuel.
Source: Deccan Herald, Bangalore, 12/23/2003
Strict action against oil adulteration: To check
adulteration and short measurement of high-speed diesel, the Uttar Pradesh government has
directed the district magistrates to take strict action against petrol dealers. Food and
Civil Supplies Minister Ashok Bajpai said that all district magistrates have been directed
to ensure sampling of petrol and diesel being stocked and sold by dealers on a regular
basis. Three samples would be taken and analysed as per the BIS norms. In case the sample
failed in any of the standards fixed by the BIS in laboratory report, a show cause notice
would be issued to the dealer.
Source: The Pioneer, Lucknow, 2/8/2004
^Top
CNG stations set
up in violation of environmental laws: The compressed natural gas filling stations
have been set up in the Islamabad city in violation of the environmental laws as none of
these CNG stations have obtained clearance certificate from the Pakistan Environment
Protection Agency. This has been stated in a letter recently sent by the Agency to the
chief commissioner and the director-general of the CDA environment directorate. Under
section 12 of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997, it is mandatory to seek
approval from environmental protection agency/department for establishing projects having
adverse environmental effects. The Agency has asked the Oil Companies Advisory Committee
to advise its member organizations to follow the legal requirements in future. It also
asked the committee to explain as to why clearance certificates were not obtained by its
member companies to establish CNG facilities at their respective outlets.
Source: Dawn (Internet), Pakistan, 12/30/2003
Goodbye to quality gasoline imports: While the
general trend in world is to use better quality and better-purified gasoline, the Ceylon
Petroleum Corporation is moving in the opposite direction by planning to import low
quality diesel. Chairman Daham Wimalasena in a letter dated December 24, 2003 and titled
‘Implementation of Emission Related Standards for auto diesel and super diesel
effective 1st January 2004’, addressed to the Environment and Natural Resources
Rukman Senanayake states that ‘at this stage the CPC will not be importing auto
diesel and super diesel to suit the revised specifications as the prices of those fuels
are very high in the international market.’ Furthermore the letter states that
‘Minister Senanayake, Power and Energy Minister Karu Jayasuriya and the Prime
Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe have agreed to defer the implementation of Emission Related
Standards for auto diesel and super diesel, notified by the Extraordinary Gazette No.
1295/11 dated June 30, 2003.’
Source: Daily Mirror (Internet), Sri Lanka, 1/1/2004
^Top |