November 05, 2001
'20'
DELHI BUS OPERATORS MEET PETROLEUM MINISTER
Shri Ram Naik, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, told the private bus operators of Delhi, here today, that the CNG could be supplied to buses coming in at the rate of 150-200 per month and the autos/taxis/RTVs at the rate of about 500 per month as has been deposed in the affidavits recently filed before the Hon'ble Supreme Court. Responding to the memoranda given by the STA Delhi Bus Operators Forum and Delhi Contract Bus Association the Government of NCT which notified schedule of phasing out diesel buses from NCT, Shri Naik said that the Union Government has already urged the Hon'ble Supreme Court that as per world standards the Euro-II emission-compliant diesel buses run on 0.05% sulphur content diesel should be allowed to be plied in Delhi alongside CNG buses. This would also result in comparable reduction in emission of pollutants.
The Minister also pointed out that the new CNG buses/autos/taxis/RTVs should be registered in Delhi keeping in mind the overall availability of the CNG and the infrastructure to dispense it to the vehicles. In case the number of CNG vehicles are registered in excess of the schedule suggested, the queuing up of vehicles for CNG would be witnessed again. In addition, as of now, the total availability of CNG is enough for the vehicles which have been issued special permits in accordance with the March 26, directions of the Supreme Court.
The Minister also pointed out that the above position was also brought to the notice of Chief Minister of Delhi during their meeting on 22nd September and the position was again clarified to Shri Parvez Hashmi, Transport Minister of NCT Delhi on 13th October. Shri Naik added that he would again discuss with the Chief Minister of Delhi, issues arising out of the Public Notice issued by the Government of NCT of Delhi to phase out diesel buses.