NGT asks Haryana, UP to mull installation of CNG pumps in NCR

New Delhi, Sep 14 (PTI) National Green Tribunal todayasked Uttar Pradesh and Haryana government to mull over thepossibility of installing CNG stations in NCR while refusingto grant permission to over 10 year old diesel vehicles to plyin these areas. "Why don’t you (UP and Haryana) introduce CNG stations inplaces like Karnal and Meerut? People are ready to convert toCNG. Why don’t you make the requisite arrangement? … Thecounsels of both the states shall seek instructions if CNG canbe installed in these areas particularly when applicants areready to convert to CNG," a bench headed by NGT ChairpersonJustice Swatanter Kumar said. It asked both the states to consider the proposal afterit was informed that there was no CNG station in Karnal andMeerut. "Why should we permit diesel buses in these areas? Whydon’t you run CNG buses," the bench said. The NGT directed Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to inform itabout the stand of both the state governments by October 1,the next date of hearing. The tribunal was hearing petitions filed by a Meerut-based Transport Union and Karnal Independent SchoolsAssociation seeking permission to ply diesel vehicles over 10years old until adequate number of CNG filling stations areset up in their city that falls in the NCR. "Since the members of the Union hold valid permits upto2018 and there is no alternative arrangement in the regionwhere applicants have been plying their vehicles of more than10 years old, they submit that they be allowed to ply on theroute Ballani-Baraut via Aminagar Sarai and other villageswhich is more than 60 kms away from Delhi till alternativearrangements are made in the region by setting up CNG pumps,"the Meerut-Baghpat-Baraut-Chhaproli-Tanda Motor Union said inits plea. The school association has sought permission for itsmembers to ply diesel school buses over 10 years old till CNGinstallation and fitment kits are made available. On July 18, the green panel had directed authorities inDelhi-NCR to cancel the registration of all diesel-poweredvehicles which are more than 10 years old. After de-registration, the authorities will issue publicnotice in this regard and supply the list of such vehicles toTraffic Police which will take appropriate steps in consonancewith directions of tribunal, it had said. PTI PKSARC