The Hindu : Mixed reaction to ban on old vehicles

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Nov 17, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore

Mixed reaction to ban on old vehicles

By K.Satyamurty

Bangalore Nov. 16. The ban on commercial and transport vehicles, 20 years and older, inside City limits from January 1, though anticipated, has drawn mixed reactions.

The Karnataka Lorry Owners' Association has opposed the move and threatened to launch a protest movement. It wants the Government to allow older lorries, tempos and vans to ply if they have been fitted with newer engines.

According to the Transport Department notification, vehicles which are 17 years or older will not be allowed on the City roads, including the Outer Ring Road, from May 1 next year and those which are 15 years or older, from May 2004.

The State Pollution Control Board had suggested the ban in an effort to reduce atmospheric pollution levels, which have reached alarming levels in many parts of Bangalore.

The Traffic Police, which will have to help in enforcing the ban, has certain misgivings.

"There are quite a few buses from the KSRTC and BMTC fleet which are old or have high exhaust emissions. Most of them are not fitted with engines which confirm to the current emission standards and are among the biggest violators of emission norms,'' they point out.

There is also the question of many vehicle owners using adulterated fuel and engine lubricants, deliberately or unaware, the police say.

Even on Saturday, a scam in recycled oil being sold under prominent brand names was unearthed in the City.

Preventing lorries and other commercial vehicles from other States where a similar law did not exit, would also pose a problem.

The Transport Department does not want older lorries using the Outer Ring Road, which connects the highways leading from the City. This again may be difficult to enforce.

What transport vehicle owners and drivers suggest is the Delhi administration's example of making CNG fuel available as an alternative to diesel.

Buses in the national capital territory now have to use only CNG and it is being made available through a number of retail outlets. Though the traffic police, with the cooperation of other agencies, introduced several traffic improvement methods to reduce vehicle congestion and increase average speeds on city roads, this has reportedly not resulted in an appreciable reduction in air pollution.

The Pollution Control Board, which regularly monitors air quality at spots such as Ananda Rao Circle, Queens Circle, Mysore Road and at Krishnarajapuram has found that the level of suspended particle matter (SPM) is still high.

Making available better quality fuel, and introduction of ethanol-mixed petrol for private vehicles and CNG for buses will be a better solution, environmentalists feel.

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