Soon, No 'Pollution Under Control' Proof, No Fuel

The New Indian Express , Thursday, April 30, 2015
Correspondent :
BENGALURU:The Transport Department has decided to direct all fuel stations within BBMP limits not to refuel vehicles without ‘pollution under control’ certificates.

Additional Advocate General A S Ponnanna told the High Court on Wednesday that the draft notification was ready and it would be issued to fuel stations in a couple of days.

A division bench of the court comprising Chief Justice D H Waghela and Justice Ram Mohan Reddy was hearing a suo motu PIL on air and noise pollution in the city.

When the bench sought immediate measures to curb pollution, Ponnanna said restricting sale of fuel was an immediate measure taken by the department as restriction on registration of new vehicles was difficult as there was no such provision under the Motor Vehicles Act.

The department has written to the Ministry of Transport and Highways, which has sought certain information to pursue the matter, he said.

Ponnanna also suggested that getting rid of old vehicles was more suitable as these were the real problem, instead of putting restrictions on new vehicles.

The bench then asked the government if there were any other ways to reduce the number of vehicles on city roads.

Ponnanna replied that new vehicles can be restricted where there was insufficient parking space. The Transport Department was also planning to ban the entry of heavy vehicles on the outer ring road during the day and there is a proposal to ban autorickshaws in the Central Business District (CBD), he said.

‘Eliminate Ancient Buses’

Counsel for Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) informed the bench that Rs 2,000 crore is needed to convert all the 6,500 buses to use CNG as fuel and the BMTC has identified four depots to provide CNG initially.

The bench told the counsel that the court was focusing on quality of life and was not concerned about money.

“So we need a time limit to convert the buses. Hence, give us a timeline and a break-up of buses to be converted to CNG,” the bench said. Further, it asked BMTC to prepare an action plan to phase out ‘ancient’ buses.

It also asked the state to study innovative ways adopted in other states to control pollution and take steps to stop parking on roads.

“The government can also pursue fixing fee on vehicles to enter particular areas. There are many innovative ways. You should fix the number of vehicles to be parked while sanctioning building plans for residences as well as commercial establishments,” the bench said.

When the bench asked BBMP to ensure basements for parking, its counsel sought six months to put an end to commercial use of basements/cellars.

Amicus curiae B V Vidyulatha explained the various measures taken up by some states and countries to control pollution.

KSPCB Not Caring

While directing KSPCB to give data on the noise and air pollution in major junctions of the city between April 2014 and April 2015, the bench asked the board where it had succeeded in the last 35 years. “Have you issued a single notice to any builder for creating noise and air pollution and stopped construction?... ,” the Chief Justice told KSPCB member secretary B M Vijay Kumar.

 
SOURCE : http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/Soon-No-Pollution-Under-Control-Proof-No-Fuel/2015/04/30/article2789978.ece
 


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