Panel to suggest steps to check automobile pollution

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, DEC. 4. Faced with ever-increasing air pollution caused by vehicles in the twin cities, the Government has set up a committee of officials to recommend measures to curb auto emission hazards.

It consists of the Joint Commissioner, Transport, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic, Commissioner, MCH, Executive Director, APSRTC, and Member-Secretary, AP Pollution Control Board (convenor).

The Government constituted the committee on the directions of the High Court on a public interest litigation. The Cabinet, which met on Monday, approved an action plan recommended by the panel. A Cabinet sub-committee to examine the measures to curb vehicular pollution was also set up.

The Minister for Information & Public relations, Dr.N. Siva Prasad, told reporters later that the Cabinet noted with concern that the number of vehicles -- nine lakhs -- and the smoke emitted by them were the main problem.

The action plan would cover promotional programme in terms of education, awareness, inspection and maintenance by the Transport department and feasibility study of using vertical exhaust pipe for all vehicles of above 3.5 tonnes. The study is to be done by ARAI, Pune, in coordination with the Transport Commissioner. A pollution grievance cell would also be set up.

A suggestion was to strengthen and broaden public transport so as to minimise use of individual vehicles.

Another issue of Cabinet concern was increasing land-grab of government land in urban areas, particularly in Hyderabad- Secunderabad and Ranga Reddy district. It favoured the need for closer coordination among the Revenue, the Police, HUDA, MCH, AP Transco, Hyderabad metro water and other related agencies.

It was decided to set up a joint task force headed by an officer of rank of joint collector and another of an additional superintendent of police who would coordinate with the Collectors of Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts.

The Cabinet approved revision of NGO bus passes with effect from December 1, 1999. The rates for City services were revised from Rs 210 to Rs 260 and that for suburban routes from Rs 270 to Rs 310. the Government would absorb two-thirds of the additional financial commitment amounting to Rs 5.5 crores. The employees would foot their share of one-third.

It approved alienation of 378 sq yards of land near the Begumpet flyover to the AP chapter of the Institute of Town Planners for its building. Another 100 sq.yds was allotted near employment office in Yousufguda to relocate a church that was removed as part of road-widening. A plot of 600 sq.yards in Banjara Hills was allotted to Mr. N. Lakshminarayana, ex-MLA, in lieu of the land acquired from him for slum development.

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Section  : Southern States
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