Autos, two-wheelers most polluting vehicles

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, APRIL 27. A seven-week survey and checking of polluting vehicles in Chennai done by consumer groups found more than 25 per cent of the vehicles polluting excessively. A large percentage of the vehicles were autorickshaws and two-wheelers, Mr. N.L. Rajah, Trustee, Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG) said.

Highlighting the features of the Clean Air for Chennai Campaign, he said that 10,000 vehicles were covered during the period at various traffic intersections of Chennai.

The aim was to increase awareness among vehicle users on the dangerous health effects of vehicular emissions by distributing leaflets, he said adding that as a last phase, a Public Interest Litigation will be filed asking for orders passed in New Delhi on vehicular pollution to be made applicable in Chennai based on the provisions of Article 21 of the Constitution on right to life.

Mr. R. Desikan, consumer activist, said that this was the first co-ordinated venture of consumer organisations, NGOs and the various Government Departments .

Mr. Arun Ramanathan, Commissioner, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection distributed participation certificates to the representatives of various consumer organisations and appealed to the participants of the campaign to show restraint when problems arose while checking polluting vehicles to ensure smooth functioning of the programme.

Mr. Bharat Jairaj, Co-ordinator, CAG said the groups will establish a system with Government departments concerned by which vehicles emitting excessive smoke were identified and corrected immediately.

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Section  : Southern States
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