The diesel car ban violators in Kerala will be fined Rs 10,000. (Representational photo)
Highlights
- Vehicles have 30 days to comply, fine of Rs 5000 for defaulters
- State asked to not register diesel vehicles more than 2000 cc capacity
- Green court asked state about availability of CNG for running vehicles
For the daily commuters in Kerala's busy cities, buses are the main form of transport. And most government-run buses have been on the road for more than 10 years. But this may change soon.
The National Green Tribunal's (NGT) bench in Kerala's Kochi district today ordered all diesel vehicles older than 10 years in six major cities of the state to be taken off the roads in the next 30 days.
No new permits for vehicles with more than 2000 cc engine capacity except public transport will be given and violators will be fined Rs 5000.
The government says is worried.
"We appreciate the health issue and environmental concerns. They are huge but you can't tell people to suddenly take their vehicles off road. Its huge numbers which are involved and people's employment, their loans. This takes time to implement. We will be appealing against this decision," Tomin Thachankary, the Transport Commissioner for Kerala told NDTV.
Estimates suggest that the NGT's order could well paralyse the existing transport system but some say it is a step necessary to check increasing pollution levels. 40,000 heavy motor vehicles and 98000 light motor vehicles - the second category mostly owned by the common man - are likely to be affected by the new order.
"Even I have a diesel car but I think this decision is important. We can't even walk on the roads anymore. There is such a huge increase in number of vehicles on road and pollution is only increasing," said Anil G, a consultant.
Contrary to him, many bus drivers like Shaji A say, "This is not practical and cannot be implemented."