Green autorickshaws, green taxis....

By Sujay Mehdudia

NEW DELHI, FEB. 5. After autorickshaws, it is now the turn of taxis. To impart a more eco-friendly and attractive look, the State Transport Department is considering a change of colour for the Capital's ubiquitous black-and-yellow cabs.

Already the Department has directed all autorickshaw manufacturers to switch over to the new colour scheme -- a yellow top and green body. As these autorickshaws run on environment- friendly CNG fuel, it was considered appropriate to give them a colour that was easy on the eye. That apart, green also conveys the Government's commitment to carry forward the drive to bring down air pollution levels in the city.

Similarly, autorickshaws already plying on CNG fuel have been asked to adopt the new colour scheme within a specific time-frame or face penal action. The Supreme Court has set April 1 as the deadline for all autorickshaws in the city to switch over to CNG fuel. At present, nearly 2,000 new CNG autorickshaws hit the road every month -- a figure that is expected to rise sharply in the coming days.

Delhi's Transport Minister, Mr. Parvez Hashmi, says: ``The feedback we have received so far indicates that people have appreciated our decision to go in for a new colour scheme for autorickshaws and this has encouraged us to think of something similar for taxis.''

The authorities are already working on a new colour scheme for taxis, reveals Mr. Hashmi. ``The change in the Government's policies and priorities should reflect on the ground as well which is why we have decided on a new colour scheme for such vehicles.'' Further, he does not rule out the possibility of a change in colour for Blueline buses besides those operating on the State Transport Authority permits.

But what is hampering the progress of CNG conversion and even discouraging people from switching over to this eco-friendly fuel is the lack of sufficient CNG stations in the city. ``The small number of CNG filling stations is causing great hardship to autorickshaw drivers and private vehicle owners. Invariably there are long queues outside the CNG stations. This needs to be sorted out by the Centre before CNG technology is adopted on a massive scale.''

As of now, however, the Government's prime concern remains the deadline set by the Supreme Court for conversion to CNG fuel of all commercial vehicles plying on diesel in the National Capital Region. Admitting that it is a difficult task, Mr. Hashmi says: ``We will be approaching the Court for extension of the deadline. The infrastructure and the technology available with us make it virtually impossible to get CNG buses on a large scale. But we are trying our best to implement the orders.''

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Other States
Previous : Swiss couple denied bail
Next     : Row over decision on sealing units