The Hindu : New Delhi News : Electric cars soon on Delhi roads

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Wednesday, Mar 26, 2008
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Electric cars soon on Delhi roads

Staff Reporter

New measure to reduce air pollution further

Talks are on with Bangalore-based manufacturers in this regard
‘Yamuna Action Plan I not successful as toilets built far away from habitations’

NEW DELHI: After switching the entire public bus transport fleet in the Capital to eco-friendly Compressed Natural Gas, the Delhi Government is now making efforts to introduce electric vehicles in the city to further reduce air pollution.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit announced in the Delhi Assembly on Tuesday that electric cars would be introduced shortly and talks are on with Bangalore-based manufacturers in this regard.

Stating that the prime cause of air pollution in Delhi was vehicular pollution, the Chief Minister said efforts were on to bring in vehicles that do not run on petrol, diesel or gas.

She said while efforts made so far had succeeded in restricting air pollution to the 2002-03 levels despite a massive increase in the number of vehicles on the roads, more now needs to be done to address the situation.

In a detailed reply to a question by senior Congress MLA Subhash Chopra, the Chief Minister said that to reduce vehicular emissions, Euro II and Euro III norms have been implemented, public transport has been converted to CNG, pollution checks have been made mandatory, the Delhi Metro Rail Project has been widened and flyovers were being constructed to reduce travelling and idling time on the roads.

Ms. Dikshit also announced that 18.9 lakh saplings would be planted in 2007-08 to improve the ambient air quality.

As for water pollution, the Chief Minister said the Yamuna Action Plan I, in which the Delhi Government had a little role to play, had “not been a success” as toilets that were an integral part of the scheme were built far away from habitations and many of them lacked water.

She, however, hoped that YAP II that was signed a week ago would prove more effective.

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