Government may impose ban on entry of old vehicles into Bangalore

Government may impose ban on entry of old vehicles into Bangalore

The Hindu

Restriction on vehicles that are more than 15 years old aimed at checking pollution

# KSRTC incurred Rs. 78 crores loss due to hike in diesel prices
# Bus pass counters to be computerised in all depots
# Steps soon to recruit 148 vehicle inspectors

BANGALORE: The Government is contemplating banning entry of vehicles which are more than 15 years old into Bangalore.

Minister for Transport N. Cheluvarayaswamy on Tuesday held a meeting with officials of the Transport Department and said he would soon place the matter before the Cabinet. The Government is keen on banning entry of vehicles that are more than 15 years old from other States, into the city.

The S.M. Krishna Government took the decision to ban vehicles which are more than 20 years old into Bangalore. But it could not be enforced strictly following widespread protest by truck operators.

The proposal on banning old vehicles is aimed at bringing down the level of vehicular pollution in Bangalore.

The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) incurred a loss of Rs. 78 crores on account hike in diesel prices and Rs. 100 crores by distribution of bus passes to people with disabilities and senior citizens at concessional rates.

The losses in the Hubli and Gulbarga divisions affected the finances of the corporation as a whole. The corporation has prepared a plan to modernise the bus depots and bus stands in the next two to three years.

Bus pass counters will be computerised in all depots to check fake passes, Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy said.

On vacant posts in the Transport Department, he said steps will be taken soon to recruit 148 vehicle inspectors.

Asked about enforcing the rule on compulsory wearing of helmets by riders of two-wheelers, he said the Dharam Singh Government discussed the issue in detail but could not take a decision following protest against the move. He will bring the issue before the Cabinet, the Minister said.

Ten Road Transport Offices (RTOs) in Bangalore and its outskirts do not have driving tracks. Land will be acquired at two or three places for tracks, which will be used by three to four RTOs, Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy said.