The Jammu and Kashmir Government has decided to introduce CNG-powered public transport system due to ever increasing air pollution. The Chief Minister, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, will shortly meet the Defence Minister, Mr A.R. Antulay, to get a nod from his ministry for laying a CNG pipeline between Noida and Jammu.

The High Court had recently directed the state government to open CNG filling stations so that the air pollution could be checked.

A recent study conducted by the pollution control board indicated that the air pollution in the city was far beyond the permissible limits. The state government might first introduce CNG in the Jammu city. A large number of factories have come up in and around the town and were becoming a major source of air pollution. Yet, the board has failed to implement the rules and regulations to keep a check on air pollution.

Mr Hakim Yaseen, Transport Minister, said the Chief Secretary, Mr C.Phunsog, had been authorized by the government to take up the issue of constructing CNG stations with the help of the Petroleum Ministry. He said Mr Azad had already held two rounds of meetings in this regard.

The High Court had recently ordered the state government to put a ban on plying of commercial vehicles that were registered 25 years ago. However, due to the transporters’ agitation the move has been put in abeyance.