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Traffic chaos in Delhi as protesting taxi drivers block major roads
Posted On May 02 2016
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Also, claiming that nearly half the taxis were run on diesel in the national Capital, they said that they have chose to launch a protest after “mutual consultations”.
The Supreme Court had yesterday refused to extend the April 30 deadline for diesel operated taxis to convert to CNG to curb air pollution.
Telling the court that it were the cars using petrol that were contributing to the greenhouse affect, Singhvi said that though branded as a “villainous fuel”, diesel caused far lesser CO, CO2 and HC emissions.
The question was posed to lawyer Abhishek Manu Sighvi who appeared for a auto manufacturer who sought lifting of ban on sale of diesel SUVs of more than 2000 CC. “Extensions have been given, you should have thought about alternatives by now”, the Supreme Court ruling said.
The interim order banning registration of diesel-run vehicles with engine capacity of 2000cc and above is in force until April 30.
The SC has also refused to extend the deadline for the taxis to convert into Compressed Natural Gas-run ( CNG ) engines. This is the second time that the ban has been extended.
However, the situation was brought under control after a delegation of taxi operators met Delhi Police Commissioner Alok K. Verma. According to a senior Delhi government official around 60,000 taxis are registered in the capital out of which only 21,000 run on diesel.
Uber too maintained a similar stand on the apex court decision, saying it welcomes the decision on diesel taxis.
The court exempted taxis with all-India tourist permit (AITP) from switching to CNG if they operate outside NCR.
While on the one hand, these taxi operators are complaining, on the other, there are many opportunists who look for such bans to increase their business prospects.
With an observation that it seems like officials at the Ministry of Transport are “sitting in plush offices and sipping coffee” the apex Court pulled up the Government for not acting on the issue of curbing pollution in Delhi.
