Laxity in enforcement aggravates city pollution woes

By N.Ravi Kumar

CHENNAI, JUNE 4. Even as the city gears for observing the World Environment Day on Tuesday, many loose ends to contain noxious fumes emitted by automobiles remain, mainly due to inadequate enforcement of the norms.

Causing concern to both the residents and environment managers, is the widespread violation of a guideline which prescribes that all motor vehicles should be in possession of a valid pollution- under-control (PUC) certificate.

Despite repeated extension of the `deadline' - the last getting over on December 31 after which the authorities were expected to clamp down on the erring vehicles - nothing significant has happened in terms of improvement to the ambient air quality. Hence, soot blackened faces, dirty clothes and increasing incidence of respiratory disorders continue to haunt the residents.

Of the 13 lakh vehicles (two, three wheelers and motor cars) that can obtain the certification from any of the 80-odd active private centres, only 1.46 lakh vehicles have valid PUC as on April 30, sources say. As regards the heavy vehicles, the less said the better. Barring at the time of remitting road tax or getting work done through the RTOs, there is no pressure on the vehicles to obtain the certificate.

Compounding the problem for the emission certification centre owners is a recent Central directive advising them to procure new testing equipment that could be used for vehicles manufactured as per the Euro-II eco-norms.

Yet another issue is the use of re-processed oil

as lubricants in vehicles, especially autorickshaws. There are several roadside bunks that deal in the product the price of which is below that of the branded 2-T oil marketed by the national oil companies.

Though the need for stopping loose sale of 2-T oil at petrol bunks has repeatedly been highlighted, customer resistance to the packaged product is proving a major stumbling block. While 100 ml oil sold in loose comes at Rs.7.86, the same quantity in packs costs Rs.3.30 more. Likewise, the sale of petrol pre-mixed with oil, at the petrol bunks, is yet to take off though several pumps have been fitted with the necessary equipment. Sources say the Weights and Measures authorities have to clarify whether such a sale is permitted. Moreover, such a pre-mix will also change the characteristic of the petrol.

Amid all these are the doubts of motorists whether they could switch to the eco-friendly and cost-effective LPG for fuelling their vehicles. Though the Centre has notified the necessary amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act, nothing much is known about the stand of the State Government.

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