The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Transport action plan not activated yet

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 10, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Transport action plan not activated yet

By T. Lalith Singh

HYDERABAD, JUNE 9. While pollution and concerns on its harmful effects in the city keep rising, an action plan to counter the increasing levels of respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) drafted by the Transport Corporation has remained consigned to cold storage.

The action plan, which was put together in the wake of Supreme Court observations on RSPM levels in the city, along with several others, came out with several suggestions and even fixed deadlines for these measures.

In October last a meeting of trade representatives, intellectuals, stakeholders and voluntary groups was held which outlined the broad contours of the plan. One of the major points suggested was on providing fuel only to those vehicles having the pollution under check (PUC) certificate.

Though the deadline for mandatory PUC certificate for fuel was fixed for December last year, the proposal itself has remained on paper.

Another important feature of the plan was on phasing out old vehicles in a bid to check noxious emissions.

A deadline of October 2004 was fixed to phase out 12,219 goods carriers of 20 years age and conversion of 452 petrol taxies to LPG, but steps were yet to be initiated on this score. Other proposals were cancellation of permits to 609 diesel taxis of 15 years age and denying permit to 10-year-old taxis from October 2004.

According to the Joint Transport Commissioner, C.L.N. Gandhi, the action plan was forwarded to the Union Environment Ministry and it was to be presented to the Supreme Court. "A committee headed by Bhure Lal is supposed to visit the city, but it has not materialised," he says.

The suggestions, Mr. Gandhi says, will come into force on receiving a clearance from the Apex Court.

Mr. Gandhi, however, maintains that all Government vehicles which are 15 years old or more have been phased out.

The transport wing has also set up a continuous online monitoring station which is linked to seven pollution testing stations. "Data on vehicular emissions from the stations is compiled daily at the monitoring station," he adds.

Measures to curb pollution levels outlined.

Fuel only for vehicles having PUC certificate.

Phase out old vehicles to check noxious gases.

Deny permit to 10-year-old taxis from October.

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