HC order on pollution goes up in smoke

HC order on pollution goes up in smoke
The Times of India

Bangalore: The Garden City is choking. The Karnataka High Court orders to curb air pollution by autorickshaws are yet to be implemented even after seven years.

The high court, in 1998, had ordered that all autorickshaws be converted to gas mode within six months. Autorickshaws did go on a conversion spree. but some opted for illegal domestic LPG cylinders instead of LPG kits. Seven years later, only 11,000 of the 72,000-strong autorickshaw brigade have approved-LPG cylinders installed in them.

While auto drivers complain of fewer auto Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) dispensing units, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) says “infrastructural problems’’ have slowed down the process of setting up such gas stations. Result: Nearly 30,000 autos ply on unapproved domestic gas cylinders.

Justice M.F. Saldanha, who gave the order in 1998, is not too happy with the developments: “State transport and autorickshaw associations filed an appeal against the HC order alleging there is no adequate gas available. What mattered was the Rs 1.2-crore annual turnover of adulterated fuel being used in vehicles. The police and transport department need to accept their responsibility to enforce the HC’s directions to check pollution,’’ Saldanha said.

Supply was definitely not the issue. After the high court order was stayed, the Supreme Court directed that all commercial and hired vehicles should turn gas vehicles, he added. Delaying the process further, the state government passed an order to make provisions for LPG fitness only in 2001.

Karntaka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) chairman Bhoomanand Manay said “We already have 11 gas stations and nine more will be added. By March this year, we will have 20,000 autorickshaws with LPG cylinder.’’

Till then, the city continues to breathe that black oxygen.