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AIR POLLUTION Traffic pollution affects kids lungs: Youngsters who live within 500 metres of major highways develop weaker lungs then those who live at least 1,500 meters away, according to a study that says traffic pollution could affect your kid’s lungs. James Gauderman of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles followed nearly 3,700 children in the area from age 10, measuring the participants’ functioning of their lungs every year, according to the online edition of New Scientist. As part of the test, the children took a deep breath and exhaled with force into a machine that gauged the volume and speed of air leaving their lungs. By the time they reached age 18, those participants living within 500 metres of a motorway performed significantly worse on the lung function test than their more distant peers. The Asian Age, New Delhi, , 1/29/2007 Traffic Pollution Can Stunt Lung Development - Study: Traffic pollution can prevent the lungs of children who live near busy roads from developing properly, making them more likely to suffer respiratory and heart problems later in life, US researchers said on Friday. They found that children who had lived within 500 metres (500 yards) of a highway from the age of 10, had significantly less lung function by the time they reached 18 than youngsters exposed to less traffic pollution. "Someone suffering a pollution-related deficit in lung function as a child will probably have less than healthy lungs all of his or her life," said James Gauderman, of the University of Southern California. Planet Ark (Internet), Australia, 1/29/2007 An eye on food, energy, climate: According to Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jairam Ramesh, India should take note of the rising inflationary trends, the climate change and maintain a fine balance in the demand and supply chain, especially for food and fuel. The stagnation in wheat production for the last six years, attributed to changing climate patterns in North India, could just be an indicator of an impending food crisis. Be it wheat, rice or grains, the situation is grim and serious. Wheat production has stagnated, as the strains developed during the Green Revolution were developed for a specific temperature profile that no longer exists in the North. Ramesh said that if we do not have the technological answers to this problem in the next couple of years, we are heading for a food security problem that will extend beyond wheat. This problem applies equally to rice and pulses and other grains. The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, 1/25/2007 Brussels split over new laws to cut vehicle emissions: Carmakers selling vehicles in the European Union were on Tuesday put on notice they face new laws to cut vehicle carbon emissions, but deep splits emerged in Brussels over how far the legislation should go. José Manuel Barroso, European Commission president, on Tuesday announced a delay of two weeks on agreeing a new legislative strategy, in an attempt to find a compromise between feuding members of his team. The divisions echo a wider debate about how far Europe can go in leading the fight against global warming without hitting the competitiveness of its industrial base. Mr Barroso’s aides admit the issue is “the first concrete test” of the EU’s renewed drive to tackle climate change, and his spokeswoman said he believed legislation was the only effective way to tackle car carbon dioxide emissions. “The president believes that there is a need for legislation to meet the targets which are set by the Commission,” she said. The car industry looks almost certain to miss its voluntary agreement to cut emissions to 120 grams per kilometre by 2012. Financial Times, London, 1/24/2007 Ford`s new hybrid combines two electric power sources: Move over, gas-electric hybrid. Ford has a new entry, the electric-electric hybrid. The vehicle, based on a Ford Edge crossover, runs on electricity from a battery, charged either from a standard wall socket or from an on-board fuel cell. It has two highly visible fueling ports, both on the driver`s side of the vehicle. One is a hose coupling for hydrogen gas, and one is an electric connection like the one on a leaf blower, ready for a standard three-prong extension cord. International Herald Tribune, Bangkok, , 1/24/2007 Jatropha project in Himachal to come up in 2007-`08: The lower hills of Himachal Pradesh are set to start cultivation of the much needed Jatropha crop, a source of bio-diesel. State Forest Minister Ram Lal Thakur said that the Centre has approved a Rs 33 crore project, whereby Rs 10 lakh Jatropha plants would be distributed to farmers in the state. Jatropha was being grown on an experimental basis so far in the low-lying Una and Bilaspur districts of the state. This has encouraged the state government to promote its production on a large scale in the lower hills of the state. Experts say Jatropha can also be grown in wastelands. The seeds of the plant are a rich source of eco friendly oil. It produces more than four times biodiesel than soyabean and ten times more than corn. The trees produce around 1,600 litres of oil per hectare. The demand for biodiesel is growing by the day due to shrinking reserves of conventional sources of oil across the globe. Business Standard, New Delhi, 1/24/2007 Warning on bio-fuels: The ethanol-doped petrol and plant-based bio-diesel programme seems to have run into a bad patch even before it got going in any real sense. The recent slide in international crude prices has adversely affected the economics of using some of these green fuels. The worst affected is the economic viability of bio-diesel, derived from plants like Jatropha (Ratanjyot), Pongamia (Karanj) and others, as their production costs work out to be higher than the current prices of diesel. Business Standard, New Delhi, 1/24/2007 Atlas Cycles brings in battery-operated bikes: North-based bicycle maker Atlas Cycles on Monday launched its battery-operated electric bikes in the national market. The bikes will soon be available in four variants through the Atlas Cycle dealership network. Priced between Rs 17,000 and Rs 20,000, the rider can either pedal the bikes normally or use the electric drive system. The bikes will have a top speed of 24 km/hr. “Electric bikes require no registrations and have a lowmaintenance cost. Moreover, they do not produce any emissions,” said Atlas Cycles joint president Sanjay Kapoor. The Economic Times, New Delhi, 1/24/2007 Toyota eyes jump in hybrids: Toyota Motor Corp. said that they are aiming for a 40 percent jump in its global sales of gas-electric hybrid vehicles to 430,000 units this year. Japan`s top auto maker said it also aims to boost domestic production of Prius hybrid cars by 40 percent to 280,000 units. In 2006, Toyota`s hybrid sales rose 33 percent from a year earlier to 312,500 units. Hybrids, particularly Toyota`s Prius, have gained in popularity among environmentally conscious Americans, in part due to high gasoline prices. The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, 1/24/2007 Harnessing energy from the rocks: The United States could generate as much electricity by 2050 as that flowing today from all of the country’s nuclear power plants by developing technologies that tap heat locked in deep layers of granite, according to a new study commissioned by the energy department. There are already dozens of power plants worldwide that have long exploited hot spots of geothermal energy to drive steam turbines, but they are restricted to a few areas. The Times of India, New Delhi, 1/24/2007 Beijing suffers as love affair with cars grows: The number of new vehicles registered in Beijing hit a new record in the first 18 days of 2007, Xinhua news agency said as the city struggles to cope with worsening traffic jams ahead of the 2008 Olympics. More than 22,000 vehicles — which under China’s statistics system includes everything from private cars to trucks — were registered and an estimated 3 million will be on the roads by May, the official news agency said. “The Chinese love affair with car ownership continues unabated,” the report said. The Chinese capital already boasts more than 2 million privately-owned vehicles and 4.24 million people have a driving licence, it added. The city has a population of around 15 million. The Economic Times, New Delhi, 1/23/2007 Biodiesel industry players face crude shock: Falling crude oil has taken the bottom off the green fuel market. Now that diesel has become more Rs 6 per litre cheaper than biodiesel, there is next to no chance of consumers switching to any green fuel. For investors in biodiesel factories, this huge gap in retail prices can only mean one thing: an even longer stretch than expected before they can start raking it in. The old break-even calculations of biodiesel companies are being re-written after crude oil dropped to $50/barrel-level. The Economic Times, New Delhi, 1/23/2007 Pollution destroying pre-Aztec Mexican ruins: Oil refineries and power stations pumping acid air pollutants along Mexico’s Gulf coast threaten to erase carved stone murals at the pre-Aztec ruined city of El Tajin, a scientist said. El Tajin’s architecture is famous for intricate reliefs, many depicting an ancient Mesoamerican ball game sometimes compared to basketball. Unesco listed it as a World Her itage Site in 1992. The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, 1/23/2007 Villages to get power on urban mode: The Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) has decided to supply power on urban mode to the villages, which have 33 KV substations within their boundary, and to the villages, which are located at a distance of less than 2 km from a substation of 33 KV and above. A nigam spokesman said that the DHBVN had decided to supply power on urban mode to all villages or towns within and outside municipal limits. However, the bill recovery rate of such villages should be at least equal to that of the city adjoining that village where the conversion from rural to urban mode is sought, he added. Power supply from these feeders shall not be given for tube-well connections meant for irrigation purposes. Electronic ones will replace all domestic and non-domestic electro-mechanical meters. The Tribune, New Delhi, 1/23/2007 Toyota challenges ‘big three’ with ultra-low-cost car plan: Toyota, the world’s second largest carmaker by sales, is working on a radically different approach to car design, development and manufacturing in an attempt to come up with an ultra-low-cost car, according to its president. “The focus is on low-cost technology,” said Katsuaki Watanabe, in an interview with the Financial Times. “Everything from design to production methods will be radically changed and we are thinking of a really ultra-low-cost way of designing, using ultra-low-cost materials, even developing new materials if necessary.” The move comes as Toyota is this year set to overtake General Motors as the world’s largest carmaker and follows last week’s news that the group recalled 500,000 vehicles in the US after a year of record recalls. Mr Watanabe conceded the need to re- double efforts to improve quality. Financial Times, London, 1/22/2007 M&M`s new plant in Maharashtra : Mahindra & Mahindra will set up a new plant to make vehicles for its joint venture with US truck and engine maker- International Truck and Engine Corp. Production is expected to commence in two years and plant in its initial capacity will produce 2,50,000 vehicles per annum. The factory will have the capacity to produce a wide range of commercial vehicles, and will include cab assembly, vehicle assembly, and a paint shop. The vehicles will have 90 percent local content from the start due to the strong availability of quality parts and materials from Indian suppliers. The venture is also expected to export vehicles through its own distribution channel, as well as International`s and overseas networks of M&M. The Pioneer, New Delhi, 1/17/2007 Ford to drive in clean diesel technology to India market : Ford Motor Company is planning to extend its clean diesel technology engines to the Ford family of cars in the Indian market. “Alongside clean diesel technology, the company has been working on developing micro hybrids for the global market. Micro hybrids are currently being developed at centres located in New Jersey and Germany. The technology would be ready for the commercial markets in the next couple of years,” Haren Gandhi, manager, chemical engineering department, Ford Research & Advanced Engineering said. Financial Express, New Delhi, 1/17/2007 Govt plans to enhance ethanol blended petrol programme : The Petroleum Minister, Mr Murli Deora said that the Government plans to enhance the ethanol-blended petrol programme to 10 per cent blend shortly from the present 5 per cent. In his inaugural address at Petrotech-2007, the Minister said measures have been taken to make auto fuels environment-friendly and the introduction of ethanol- blended petrol will also put more income in the hands of farmers. Outlining the multi-pronged strategy put in place by the Government, he said faster exploration of domestic sedimentary basins to enhance indigenous production of oil and gas, improvement in quality of fuels produced by refineries in conformity with the established international emission norms, acquisition of equity oil and gas abroad to supplement domestic production, development and commercialisation of use of alternative fuels, and conservation of hydrocarbons were some of the salient features of the strategy. Business Line, New Delhi, 1/17/2007 Pollution-free transport assured: Delhi Transport Minister Haroon Yusuf said that the problem of traffic congestion and limited road space in the capital could be solved only if people in the city started using public transport extensively rather than depending on private vehicles. He added that the government on its part was committed to providing safe and pollution-free public transport system. The Minister said that the Transport Department has, in the recent past, taken several initiatives to achieve a truly service oriented approach in its functioning by enhancing efficiency, improving transparency and by increasing accountability. The Statesman, New Delhi, 1/16/2007 EU to Propose New CO2 Rules for Cars on Jan 24: The European Commission will lay out on Jan. 24 its new strategy for cutting emissions from cars, which is likely to include the option of binding legislation to force carmakers to clean up their vehicles. A spokeswoman for Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said on Friday the proposals will be put forward in two weeks. Dimas has said repeatedly that he would propose binding legislation that would require car makers to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of new cars sold in the 27-nation European Union to an industry average of 120 grams per kilometre in 2012. Planet Ark (Internet), Australia, , 1/15/2007 Wal-Mart to develop diesel-electric hybrid trucks: Wal-Mart, the largest US retailer, is to work with ArvinMeritor, the auto component supplier, on the development of a diesel-electric hybrid truck, as part of its environmental performance. The companies said in a statement they had agreed to develop a dual-mode, diesel-electric drivetrain for a Class 8 tractor truck - the workhorse of the US long-distance trucking industry. The vehicle will be based on an International ProStar tractor, and powered by an engine developed by Cumins. Business Standard, New Delhi, , 1/12/2007 Canada Auto Union Alarmed by Tough Emissions Talk: Canada`s largest private sector union said on Thursday that thousands of jobs in the auto industry could be at risk if a left-leaning opposition party succeeds in persuading the government to quickly introduce binding emissions standards on vehicles. Jack Layton, who heads the New Democratic Party, says he will not consider propping up the minority Conservative government unless it brings in new emissions rules for vehicles immediately. Buzz Hargrove, head of the Canadian Auto Workers union, wrote to Layton to say he and his union members had been "taken aback" by the tough comments on emissions. Planet Ark (Internet), Australia, , 1/12/2007 MSRTC to introduce 50 new CNG buses by April: Following the rising price of diesel, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) is set to introduce Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)buses for the first time, to curb its fuel expenses. The corporattion is planning to introduce 50 such buses to its existing flect of 16,000 buses. The new buses will ply between Mumbai and Pune, Uran and Panvel. According to Chief Engineer B J Kaikade, the corporation is in negotiation wiht Mahanagar Gas Ltd for setting up a fuel station at the corporation`s Nehru Nagar depot. They are planning to start the CNG bus service by April. After the corporation finalises negotiations with Mahanagar Gas, it will need to procure chassi and CNG engines from the manufacturer. The Indian Express, Mumbai, 1/11/2007 BMP plans ‘green’ ride to Commercial Street: Imagine a Commercial Street free of congestion and chaos. If the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) has its way, eco-friendly buses will ferry shoppers from the nearest parking lot to the busy commercial hub. The case in point is the parking facility planned in the Ulsoor lake bund area, which is facing opposition from citizens. While citizens fear that the parking lot might pollute the only lung space in the area, BMP officials argue that they are only streamlining the existing traffic around the lake. BMP officials are hopeful that the project will help streamline vehicular traffic around the lake, decongest the nearby commercial hubs and augment revenue. The parking facility near Ulsoor lake was an offshoot of the Traffic Department’s suggestions to divert traffic from commercial hubs. The proposal gathered momentum after the shop-owners on Commercial Street agreed to introduce ferry service.Deccan Herald, Bangalore, 1/10/2007 US reports 2006 warmest on record: The year 2006 was the warmest in the contiguous United States since record keeping began 112 years ago, due in large part to an unusually warm December, US government weather forecasters said. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration`s (NOAA) preliminary forecast released in mid-December forecast 2006 as the third warmest year on record. NOAA said in a written statement that no state was colder than average last month and five states had their warmest December on record - Minnesota, New York, Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire. The Age (Internet), Australia, , 1/10/2007 Climate change: Carry on flying, says Blair: Tony Blair on Tuesday waded into the growing controversy over how individuals can help to tackle global warming by declaring that he has no intention of abandoning long-haul holiday flights to reduce his carbon footprints. The Hindu, New Delhi, January 10, 2007 Indonesia to Tighten Diesel Sulphur Levels in March: Indonesia will impose a maximum sulphur content of 3,500 parts per million (ppm) for diesel from March, down from 5,000 ppm, a senior energy ministry official said on Monday, a move that may prompt state-run Pertamina to raise diesel imports. This is part of a global trend to cut pollutant sulphur from motor fuels and in line with plans announced last year by Indonesia, Asia`s top importer of diesel. "We will tighten controls on diesel oil import which we will allow maximum 3,500 ppm sulphur from March," Erie Soedarmo, a director at the mines and energy ministry, told Reuters by telephone. Planet Ark (Internet), Australia, January 9, 2007 GM commits to selling plug-in car: General Motors has unveiled a plug-in hybrid car destined for mass production in a commitment to electric-vehicle technology by a company formerly accused of quashing it. At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the world’s largest automaker introduced the Chevrolet Volt concept car. The Volt can be recharged from a conventional wall socket and will run on battery power alone for up to 40 miles. GM, in the midst of a turnround programme, is seeking to reposition itself as a technology leader and close the gap with competitors such as Toyota, which sells more hybrid cars than GM or Detroit’s other two big automakers. Financial Times, London, 1/8/2007   GM Goes Electric with New Concept Car at Auto Show: Struggling auto giant General Motors Corp. Sunday revived its once-failed idea of a mass-market electric car, unveiling a new "concept" car called the Volt designed to use little or no gasoline. Introduced at the North American International Auto Show here, the Chevrolet Volt will draw power exclusively from a next-generation battery pack recharged by a small onboard engine -- if the technology is ready in two or three years. "We have a thoroughly studied concept, but further battery development will define the critical path to start of production," said Jon Lauckner, a GM vice president for product development. The Volt is designed to run for 40 miles on pure electric power, making it marketable for everyday family use. Planet Ark (Internet), Australia, January 8, 2007 EU to Make New Climate Change Commitment with Cuts: Europe will seek to spearhead the fight against global warming this week when the European Commission proposes a bold unilateral cut in greenhouse gas emissions as well as liberalisation of energy markets. The executive Commission will propose on Wednesday that the European Union commit to unilateral cuts of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of 20 percent from 1990 levels by 2020, EU officials said on Monday. P Planet Ark (Internet), Australia, January 9, 2007 China`s Largest Lake May Vanish in 200 Years: China`s largest lake, holy to Tibetans but suffering from global warming and desertification, may vanish in two centuries even as the government pledges US$870 million to stop it shrinking, Xinhua news agency said on Friday. Desertification had been brought about by overgrazing around Lake Qinghai, in the remote western province of Qinghai, which is at the crossroads of several bird migration routes across Asia and is about 360 km (220 miles) in circumference. Overfishing has also reduced the catch of the unusual scaleless naked carp in the lake to just 10 percent of what it was 40 years ago, Xinhua said on its Web site (www.xinhuanet.com). Planet Ark (Internet)  January 8, 2007 Battery-operated scooter launched: The first indigeneusly designed and mass produced eco-friendly scooter in Andra Pradesh was launched in Mahaboobnagar today. The vehicle is manufactured by HBL-NIFE unit at Bhoothpur on the outskirts of the district headquarters, representative of the company and former MP A.P. Jitender Reddy told media today. The New Indian Express, Hyderabad, 1/4/2007 Now an eco-friendly fuel for cars: There is good news for car owners in the Assam. The Assam Oil Division of the Indian Oil Corporation Limited will iintroduce a new transportation fuel shortly which can be used in place of petrol. The USP of the auto LPG, slated to be launched under the brand name `Autogas,` is that it is eco-friendly and will cost less. The auto LPG dispensing stations would be set up in two petrol pumps operating under the oil major in Guwahati and one each in Jorhat and Tinsukia soon. Motorists can save on the prices of fuel by at least 30 percent by installing the auto LPG kit and tank in their cars. They will have the added advantage of driving their vehicles on both auto LPG and petrol. The oil company will conduct a demonstration of the functioning of the retrofitment kits at its stall at the second National Jorhat Expo. The Sentinel, Guwahati, 12/30/2006 Delhi`s air quality improving: There is some mixed news for the Capital on the air front. While the good news is that air quality in the city is better, according to a study conducted by Washington DC-based think tank "Resources for the Future", mostly due to introduction of compressed natural gas (CNG), the gains made are being lost with many more cars hitting the roads. Looking at the air quality of the city, the study has analysed the levels of pollution over a 15-year period and seeks to answer what has led to these changes. The results of the study were released at a press conference at the Centre for Science and Environment office in New Delhi. The Hindu, New Delhi, December 22, 2006 Remove tax incentives for diesel cars: CSE: Centre for Science and Environment(CSE) has sent a letter to finance minister P Chidambaram asking for removal of tax incentives for diesel cars in the forthcoming union budget. Instead of incentives, it has suggested to levy a special environment cess on diesel cars and sports utility vehicles as they cause pollution. It also calls for mandatory fuel economy standards for all categories of vehicles and suggests fuel economy labelling of cars. The Economic Times, New Delhi, December 21, 2006 Delhi to get BRTS corridor by next year: The Delhi Government, as part of its endeavour to ease the pressure of burgeoning traffic in the Capital, plans to introduce the Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS) corridor here by the end of next year. The Delhi Transport and Power Minister, Mr Haroon Yusuf, while speaking at a function to felicitate the elderly, organised by The Eminent, a non-government organisation, late yesterday evening said, "The first BRTS corridor will be introduced between Ambedkar Nagar and Delhi Gate. This corridor will be exclusively for the buses and help in enhanced mobility of the buses besides improving the frequency of the bus service The Tribune, New Delhi, December 21, 2006 Capital stroke: From two to four To meet air pollution control norms as delineated by the Environment & Pollution Control Authority (EPCA), the Delhi Transport Department today invited applications for conversion of two-stroke autorickshaws to 4-stroke ones. Two stroke engines are said to compound the problem of visible smoke emission due to high consumption of lubricating oil unlike 4 stroke engines which use the splash system of lubrication. Some 20,000 autorickshaws running in Delhi are 2-stroke ones in the C and D registration series. Fresh registration of 2-stroke autos is already banned in Delhi since May 2002 in keeping with EPCA observations. The Indian Express, New Delhi,  December 13, 2006 High duties make ethanol blended petrol unviable The much-awaited national roll out of Ethanol-blended patrol is fumbling. High taxes imposed on ethanol has made the blending unviable. The national roll-out plan was scheduled for November end but the blended fuel is now available only in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Goa. A by-product from sugar molasses, Ethanol is cheaper than petrol. As an additive to petrol, it helps the fuel burn better, thereby reducing emissions from vehicle exhaust. Studies have shown drastic reduction in carbon monoxide emissions from vehicles running on ethanol-blended patrol. The Pioneer, New Delhi,  December 4, 2006 Cleaner CNG with less methane Clean CNG is all set to get even cleaner from early next year. The Supreme Court-appointed Bhure Lal panel has decided to notify strict norms for it this month, which would lead to CNG with a methane content between 90 and 95% and lower levels of hydrocarbons. The idea is to reduce residue emission to a minimum and have virtually no pollution from CNG run vehicles. The panel, officially called Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA), had set up a committee of experts from Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL), Indraprastha Gas Ltd and ministry of petroleum to fix norms for the composition of CNG. The Times of India, New Delhi, December 3, 2006 Hydrogen to boost CNG vehicles from 2007 DELHI, THE ‘CNG capital of India’, will see the launch of the next-generation, zero emission hydrogen fuel early next year. The process will start by blending hydrogen with CNG to reduce nitrogen oxide and particulate-matter emission from vehicles by about half. “Hydrogen is the cleanest among all available fuels, including bio-fuels. Its burning emits no carbon and the final result is water,” said Dr S.K. Chopra, special secretary, Ministry of Non Conventional Energy. The country’s first hydro gen-filling station will begin functioning at the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC)-owned petrol pump near Nigambodh Ghat. The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, November 27, 2006 Delhi says it is ready to walk the distance to solve bus row with UP The Delhi government is working on a solution to end the transport stalemate with Uttar Pradesh. Transport Minister Haroon Yusuf told that he would convene a meeting of top Delhi officials — the transport commissioner and CMD of DTC — on Monday to find a formula to end the crisis as early as possible. The government is work- ing on a three-pronged formula which includes agreeing to UP’s demand to stop DTC service in Noida, giving UP’s CNG buses access to ISBTs in the Capital and working on an immediate solution to the kilometer issue between the two states. The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, November 27, 2006 `Green tax` on old vehicles from Monday in A.P. The Andhra Pradesh Government will levy a `green tax` on all old automobile vehicles in use from as a disincentive for pollution. The tax entails levy of a token annual tax of Rs. 50 on two-wheelers and Rs. 100 on personal cars and other four-wheelers that have been in use for 15 years and above. Similarly, a tax of Rs. 200 per annum will be levied on transport and commercial vehicles such as autorickshaws, taxis, lorries and buses that are over seven years.  The Hindu, New Delhi, November 25, 2006 Cheap, blended petrol for your car THE DELHI Cabinet cleared the sale of ethanol-blended petrol in the city to conserve the fast depleting reserves of the fuel. The order, followed by a notification soon, will bring down the price of the blended petrol (with 5 per cent ethanol) by 25 paise per litre. The Cabinet also decided to waive off special duty and other related fees on ethanol under the Punjab Excise Act 1914 in force in Delhi. “This decision has been taken keeping in view the need to conserve petroleum fuel and to increase the use of sustainable fuel,” chief minister Sheila Dikshit said after the Cabinet meeting. The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, November 22, 2006 Diesel-run vehicles drive pollution to new highs DELHI may have to do more than just the CNG programme to curb pollution in the city, warns a report by Centre for Environment and Science (CSE). About 17% growth of diesel-run cars per year has resulted in a significant increase in air pollution, which may nullify the impact of the CNG programme, the report said. While the increase in pollution levels explains the heavy haze blotting out the sun in recent days, the latest statistics by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) also portrays a significant increase in pollution levels during the winter months since 2003-04. The Economic Times, New Delhi, November 20, 2006 HC notice on curbing use of diesel A public interest litigation seeking to curb the use of diesel as a fuel for privately owned motor vehicles in Delhi because of its contribution to air pollution has been filed in Delhi high court. The Indian Express, New Delhi, November 19, 2006 Diesel cars race ahead in market share A definite increase in demand for diesel cars has upped their market share to over 30 per cent from the earlier 20 per cent in the last 18 months, sale figures of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers’ (SIAM) have revealed. According to SIAM, over 25,000 of the total 93,383 passenger cars sold in October were diesel models, with major growth being witnessed in the mid-segment. This is corroborated by the sales of recent launches like Ford Fiesta and Hyundai Verna, whose diesel models have surged ahead of their petrol variants. Business Standard, New Delhi, November 15, 2006 Reliance now turns to water management Reliance Industries is set to make a big splash, this time in water management. The Mukesh Ambani-controlled petrochemicals major has set up a team to spearhead the initiative. Water management has been opened up for private players. Sources close to the development said the company had already informed the Maharashtra government about its plans. However, it would have to wait for some more time to enter Maharashtra till the civic bodies come out with a tender inviting bids for water management. The Reliance move follows the Tata group, which is also in the process of making a big splash in the same business. Business Standard, New Delhi, November 15, 2006 City pollution levels may rise in winter The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has warned that pollution would increase substantially in the Capital in winters with the rise in the number of diesel vehicles. With mercury dipping, the air in Delhi has begun to get heavy with dust, smoke and particles. According to CSE, the cool weather is blocking dispersal of smoke and pollutants. The CSE has mainly blamed diesel vehicles for this. The share of diesel cars, a mere 4 per cent of the total registration in 1999, has climbed to nearly 20 per cent in 2006. The Indian Express, New Delhi, November 15, 2006 IOC`s Gujarat refinery starts Euro-III petrol production Indian Oil Corporation Ltd`s (IndianOil) Gujarat refinery has commenced production of Euro-III grade motor spirit product. "The motor spirit produced by the Motor Spirit Quality Upgradation (MSQU) unit shall meet the Euro-III standards as specified in the Auto Fuel Policy of the Union Government. The MSQU project has successfully been commissioned at Gujarat Refinery," a company statement said. With the commissioning of this project, Indian Oil would now be catering to the markets of Surat and Ahmedabad with improved quality of the auto-fuel, which will help reduce vehicular pollution in these cities, the company said. Business Line, New Delhi, November 9, 2006 Petrol-ethanol mixture set to be must by 2007 THE government is planning to make 10% ethanol doping in petrol mandatory from mid-2007, petroleum secretary MS Srinivasan said on Wednesday. “Based on the availability, we may go up to 10% blending of ethanol in petrol at all-India level in June 2007,” he said at the Economic Editors Conference here. For the current fiscal, doping of 5% ethanol in petrol has been mandatory. “To meet the target, 58 crore litres of ethanol is needed. Next year, the requirement will increase to 112 crore litres,” he said. Srinivasan said for the current year, ethanol supplies for the country will be tied up by November 15. “We have offers for 40% volumes at a price of Rs 21.50 per litre, and this will be the benchmark price for the remaining volumes too,” he said. The Economic Times, New Delhi, November 9, 2006 New tech to improve Brazilian ethanol output The productivity of Brazilian land growing sugar cane for processing into ethanol will more than double by 2023 because of new technology, according to Brazilian commodity brokerage Sociedade Corretora De Alcool Trading SA. The capacity to convert sugar cane into ethanol will increase to 13,000 liters of ethanol per hectare of arable land, from 6,000 liters, said SCA director Jacyr Costa Filho. Sugar cane yields more ethanol than other feedstocks used to produce ethanol. Corn yields 3,700 liters of ethanol a hectare and wheat 1,130 liters.  The Financial Express, New Delhi, November 9, 2006 Ethanol trade will rise six-fold by 2015 The global ethanol trade will increase six-fold by 2015, with a projected surplus in the Americas and a deficit in the European Union and Asia, said Christopher Berg, deputy director of the sugar-research company FO Licht GmbH. The EU is forecast to import more than 3 billion liters by 2015, compared with 500 million liters currently, Berg said at the FO Licht World Ethanol Conference in Amsterdam on Wednesday. The Americas, led by Brazil, are forecast to have a surplus of more than 6 billion liters by 2015 that will be exported predominantly to Europe and Asia. Africa is projected to have a surplus by 2014 as production takes off in countries such as Mozambique and South Africa, he said.  The Financial Express, New Delhi, November 9, 2006 Panel on CNG quality norms to submit report in 3 months Norms outlining quality specifications for compressed natural gas (CNG) are in the pipeline. A committee set up to work out quality specifications guidelines for CNG is hopeful of submitting its report within the stipulated time frame to the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA). Sources here told that "the first meeting of the Committee was held last Friday, where GAIL shared the gas specifications with the members and broad specification parameters have been discussed." Business Line, New Delhi, November 8, 2006 Toyota, Isuzu join hands to make low-emission engines The move comes as auto makers around the world race to come up with advanced technology to meet ever-tighter standards for emissions and fuel economy, with many forming operational alliances to sharpen their competitive edge. It also marks a recognition by Toyota, which has been trying to steer the industry towards gasoline-electric hybrids, that it urgently needs a broader line-up of diesel cars as consumers seek to get more mileage out of expensive fuel. Diesel cars are typically 20 to 30% more fuel-efficient than gasoline cars, although they emit more harmful nitrogen oxide and particulate matter. The Financial Express, New Delhi, November 8, 2006 Gail prepares map for more to join CNG bandwagon Following Delhi and Mumbai, other cities, high on pollution, including Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Kanpur, are set to use compressed natural gas in a big way, according to a road map prepared by GAIL. Also, other cities, not identified by the Supreme Court, but economically viable to make available the green fuel have set targets for as close to 2007. While HPCL has already commissioned nine CNG stations for Ahmedabad, in Lucknow, two CNG stations in addition to the one commissioned in April 2006 will be set up in 2007. Also, in Lucknow, IOCL and GAIL plan on 17 stations. In Kanpur, BPCL and GAIL are in the process of commissioning two stations in addition to the existing two. The Economic Times, New Delhi, November 7, 2006 Choking on your own car exhaust? IF you are a frequent visitor to the busy ITO junction or Chandni Chowk area, prepare for a heavy assault on your health, especially respiratory organs as the air in these two areas has been found to be exceedingly choked with the poisonous gas nitrogen oxide, or NOx, a chief air pollutant resulting mostly from vehicular emission. According to the data generated by Central Pollution Control Board, the level of NO2, which is the measure for NOx, has been alarmingly higher than the permissible limit in the last few years and its level has been constantly on the rise in not just these two traffic-intensive areas but in residential areas like Nizamuddin and Janakpuri in the last five years. It is not the rise alone but experts say that the trend of the rise in the past few years is a cause for concern too. “We need to be careful about this pollutant, as it may prove difficult to control in the future,” says Anumita Roy Chowdhury, Associate Director, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, November 7, 2006 HC ‘no’ to CNG station at park Preservation of the greens is the utmost responsibility of every administrative or statutory authority, held the Delhi High Court, while disallowing DDA to change usage of a park in Mayapuri Enclave for facilitating the setting up of a CNG station. Although Justice S Ravindra Bhat admitted that need for a CNG station cannot be doubted but not at the cost of green space. When DDA said its decision — taken in 1999 through a resolution — wasn’t arbitrary, the judge reminded the authority about the public trust doctrine. The Times of India, New Delhi, November 7, 2006 Kiln owners burn fodder, rubber to bake bricks A number of brick-kiln owners in the district and nearby areas of the region are using dry fodder, old tyres, rubber tubes, battery bodies and other such waste material to bake bricks. Due to the increased cost of coal and other fuel, the kiln owners are using these materials as these are cheap and easily available. The practice of burning dry fodder (toori) has created an acute shortage of this widely used cattle fodder. Most of the cattle houses use "toori" as fodder. However, as the supply of dry fodder has now been diverted towards brick-kilns, its cost has increased and availability decreased. On the other hand, the burning of rubber and plastic wastes is increasing air pollution by releasing toxic gases into the atmosphere. The Tribune, New Delhi,  November 6, 2006 Radio cabs set to hit NCR roads: Taking another step forward after introducing the CNG bus service in the National Capital region the Haryana government has decided to introduce radio cabs in the NCR region the government has also expedited the process to strengthen CNG services in the NCR.  The Indian Express, Chandigarh, November 3, 2006 GAIL panel to draw up quality norms for CNG THE GOVERNMENT has asked Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) to set up a committee to formulate quality specification guidelines for compressed natural gas (CNG). The report has to be submitted to the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) within three months. The committee will include former Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) professor H B Mathur and officials from the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), GAIL, Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGL) and Mahanagar Gas Ltd (MGL). Though years have passed since the introduction of CNG in Delhi, no fuel quality specifications are in place. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), which had formulated a draft on standards, got no response to its suggestions. BIS said it would take one to two years to come out with quality specifications.  The Hindustan Times, New Delhi,  October 31, 2006 Experts clear fog over hazy conditions: A dip in temperature along with the imminent onset of winter has thrown a veil of haze over the city. However, the current spell of thick smog should not be confused with fog, say researchers from National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). A CSE analysis of the air quality data available from the ITO monitoring station during the period September and October, 2006 shows that the pollution level has already begun to build up in the city due to lowering of the atmospheric temperature and calming of wind. ‘‘If this trend continues Delhi can hurtle towards disastrous winter smog, which will be for a longer spell, proving costly not only to airlines and businesses but also to people with respiratory, cardiac and asthmatic problems as well as pregnant women,’’ said Anumita Roychowdhury of CSE. The Times of India, New Delhi, October 31, 2006 Pollution unlimited: While the Goa government for three years now has been passing the buck over the phasing out of old commercial vehicles come sa report that Jammu enjoys the dubious districntion of being among a couple of cities in the country with the highest lead residue in the air. The report while it has taken it`s time coming only confirms what the people of the city have been suspecting all along. ....editorial The Kashmir Times, Jammu, October 25, 2006 2010: Transport dept to come up with traffic plan: The Transport department is readying a full-fledged detailed transport and traffic plan for the Commonwealth Games and has already started the process for appointing a consultant. “Movement from the stadia to the Games Village, practice venue, hotels, airport and other areas need to be made smooth and hassle free. Accordingly, we are looking for a comprehensive transport plan which will identify routes based on traffic projections for 2010 and also devise schemes for infrastructure upgrade and augmentation,” said a transport department official The Indian Express, New Delhi, October 24, 2006 SC sets Oct 31 deadline for parking policy: Ahead of finalisation of Master Plan 2021, the Supreme Court has set October 31 as the deadline for Delhi’s civic and planning bodies to give all requisite data to Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA) for preparing the final parking policy for the Capital. The final parking policy, as and when it gets framed, may burn a hole in the pockets of vehicle owners, for the court was not in favour of any subsidy, even for the construction and maintenance of parking facilities. The Times of India, New Delhi, October 25, 2006 Meghalaya vehicles major cause of air pollution: Over 50 per cent of vehicles in Meghalaya, ranked fourth in the country in terms of per capita vehicle at one for every eight persons, emit pollutants ‘beyond permissible limits’, studies conducted by State Pollution Control Board have revealed, reports PTI. Joint Director of Union Ministry of Environment and Forests` north east regional office, S C Katiyar, said vehicular emissions are a major cause of air pollution in Meghalaya, particularly urban areas and along the highways. The problems get magnified as roads are the main mode of transportation due to unavailability of rail network and waterways as well as poor air connectivity. The major pollutants emitted by vehicles include suspended particulate matters (SPM), respirable suspended particulate matters (RSPM), soot, oxides of nitrogen (NOX) and sulphur (SOX), carbon monooxide, hydrocarbons, some of which are carcinogens, Katiyar said. The Assam Tribune, Guwahati,  October 23, 2006 Why Delhi needs cycle-rickshaws: They do not emit pollution and provide jobs to a million people It is a myth that pulling cycle-rick- shaws is inhumane. Rickshaw pullers are better off than construction labourers who carry heavy loads on their heads. Director of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), Sunita Narain, also makes a strong pitch in favour of cycle-rickshaws and other modes of nonmotorised transport. “It is a misconception that cycle-rickshaws cause congestion. It is the cars that are causing congestion. It is sad that in a socialist country like India, the poor rickshaw pullers are getting targeted for no fault of theirs,” says Narain. A study carried out by CSE in Ambedkar Nagar shows that over 60 per cent commuters travel by public transport buses that use up 8 per cent road space, while cars move only 20 per cent people and take over 75 per cent road space. The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, October 23, 2006 Central aid speeds up Indore rapid bus system work: The dream of people of Indore to have rapid transit bus system has been put on the fast track of realisation courtesy to Union Urban Development Ministry. The Centre will give Rs 49.22 crore as financial assistance to the Madhya Pradesh under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) programme for the project. Urban Development Ministry has released Rs 12.40 crore to the State. The State Government has decided to construct 11.45-km long rapid bus transit system in Indore at an estimated cost of around Rs 100 crore. The Pioneer, New Delhi, October 23, 2006 Delhi in the fast lane with HCBS on track: Delhi has finally opened up to a transport revolution. With a reliable Metro system in place, the new target is an economical bus rapid system that adds more passengers, decongests roads, and ensures safety of pedestrians. If all goes well, Delhi government plans to achieve all this in one master stroke, High Capacity Bus System (HCBS). The government has already awarded a contract for construction of the bus corridor and the deadline is 2008. The system promises to solve a number of problems for the Capital, which is aiming to clean up the mess on its roads by the time it invites international athletes and tourists for Commonwealth Games 2010. The Times of India, New Delhi, October 23, 2006 Bid for CNG buses cancelled:  An Ambitious plan to run CNG minibuses in the Chandni Chowk area has hit yet another roadblock. Senior official said that owing to difficulties in striking the right deal with the bidders, the bid had to be cancelled. The officials are tightlipped over the matter, but sources say that the bidder, who was to get the tender, could not fulfil certain pre-conditions. The transport department wanted dif ferent companies to bid for the two routes. The bidding party did not have an annual turnover of Rs 6 crores, which was an eligibility marker for the bid, but it bid for both routes. The Asian Age, New Delhi, October 17, 2006 RIL cuts petrol, diesel prices by Re 1 a litre: Within just 12 days of reducing prices of petrol and diesel sold through its retail outlets, Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has once again cut prices of the two products by Re 1 a litre. However, the price of Reliance petrol and diesel would still continue to be marginally higher than the public sector products by about 50 paise to Re 1 in most of the States (depending on the tax structure), except in Gujarat where it has reached parity in case of diesel. Business Line, New Delhi, October 13, 2006 Hero group inks pact with UK co for electric bikes: Hero Group has struck a deal with British electric vehicle (EV) company Ultra Motors to introduce EV in the country. Ultra Motors has signed a technical collaborationcum-joint marketing deal with Hero Cycles for bringing out electric two-wheelers. A nascent segment as of now, with the entry of a large two-wheeler group like Hero, the market for e-vehicles could witness a take off with the creation of a new category. The Economic Times, New Delhi,  October 12, 2006 Hong Kong leader targets air pollution: Faced with air pollution levels that on some days force the elderly and the asthmatic to stay indoors and have some foreigners contemplating a move to cleaner climes, the government of this financial city said that it was time to get tough on the worst polluters. Donald Tsang, the Hong Kong chief executive, outlines an anit-pollution agenda in an annual policy address that the promised some carrots and threat of big sticks to get industry and the polluting public to help clean up the city’s frequnelty murky skies. International Herald Tribune, Bangkok, October 12, 2006 Govt to permit import of Harley Davidson bikes: Despite having reservations, the government may be forced to allow the import of Harley Davidson bikes into the country. The Centre is, at present, considering a proposal that seeks permission to import 5,000 Harley Davidson bikes over a period of 5-10 years. The iconic bike company, which unveiled its plans to foray into India with 500-cc bikes last year, has been unable to do so due to the country’s stringent emission norms. The Financial Express, New Delhi,  October 11, 2006 Air quality threatens Hong Kong’s allure: Hong Kong’s overall air quality has declined significantly in the past six years as booming industry in mainland China sends clouds of soot and toxic gases wafting into the city. In additional, local power plants and diesel-fueled traffic fill the narrow streets with four air that gets trapped at street level by the city’s skyscrapers. Researchers at Hong Kong University say local air pollution contributes to at least 2,000 premature deaths a year. The Asian Wall Street Journal, Hong Kong, , October 10, 2006 Govt to phase out 10yr old autos: Concerned over the rise of pollution level in the Capital, despite the fact that Delhi has all its city buses and auto rickshaws run on CNG the NCT government has decided to show the door to two stroke CNG retrofitted three wheelers to 10 years of age. T The Statesman, New Delhi, October 11, 2006 Hyderabad campaigns to make Diwali a festival of light, not sound: To make Diwali a celebration of light rather than the sound, the Hyderabad City Police and AP Pollution Control Board have planned a joint campaign to bring down the level of noise and air pollution by cracking down on high decibel "bomb" crackers this year. The campaign will focus both sellers and buyers, especially the schoolchildren. About 30 wholesale dealers of the crackers in the twin cities were on Tuesday given the list of the powerful crackers, including the "hydrogen bomb", classic bomb and other crackers with a decibel level of over 125. The Pioneer, New Delhi, October 11, 2006 Production & import of ethanol may get duty cuts: Production and import of ethanol to cut down petrol costs may get duty cuts, while research on producing it from biomass (cellulosic ethanol) is also likely to get fiscal incentives soon. An expert group on energy policy set up by the Planning Commission, discussed with key ministries and industry bodies on Monday how to increase the production and import of ethanol. The government programme to launch a 5% ethanol-blended petrol is due to begin from November 1 and will need about 61 crore litres of ethanol. The Economic Times, New Delhi, October 11, 2006 Why Beijing Is Trying to Tally The Hidden Costs of Pollution As China`s Economy Booms: By conventional measures, China`s economy is roaring ahead at a growth rate of more than 10%. But an unusual report by the Chinese government suggests the nation`s growth -- while swift -- may not be quite as dazzling as it seems. Last month, Beijing released the results of a two-year "green accounting" study indicating the nation`s rampant pollution problem is quietly undermining long-term economic growth. According to the report, pollution cost the country $64 billion in 2004, the equivalent of three percentage points of economic output. The Asian Wall Street Journal (Internet), Hong Kong, October 3, 2006 Govt ropes in 5 auto cos for hydrogen-CNG vehicles: The government has roped in auto majors such as Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Eicher Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra and Bajaj Auto for commercial production of vehicles fuelled by hydrogen-CNG blend. The auto companies will help in modifying controllers for hydrogen-CNG blend in engines, sources in ministry of non-conventional energy sources (MNES) said. Under the hydrogen-CNG blending project, CNG can be blended with 10% to 30% of hydrogen in the same internal combustion CNG engine. For the blend to work as a fuel, calibration of controllers would be required and safety sensors would have to be put in the vehicle. The Economic Times, New Delhi, October 9, 2006 All gas: CBG to supplement CNG: Now for something greener than compressed natural gas (CNG). India may use its vast organic wastes to produce compressed biogas (CBG), which will supplement CNG. While technology to compress biogas has already been devised, it will not be too long before our cars start running on CBG. s of now, biogas is primarily used in rural households for cooking. Biogas consists of 60% methane and 40% carbon dioxide. This biogas can be purified to match CNG standards. The Economic Times, New Delhi, October 10, 2006 Flights cancelled as thick haze continues: Flights were cancelled and drivers turned on their headlights in the daytime as a thick haze from Indonesia`s illegal brush fires continued to sweep over large parts of the sprawling archipelago`s Sumatra and Kalimantan provinces. After days of complaints from neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia, the skies there were clearer on Sunday after having degraded to some of the worst levels in years. The Hindustan Times, New Delhi,  October 9, 2006 JNU panel proposes battery run buses on campus: The Campus Development Committee of Jawaharlal Nehru University has come up with a proposal to run a battery operated buses in an attempt to cut down on pollution on a trial basis.  The Indian Express, New Delhi, October 8, 2006 The air you breather gets murkier: The number of polluting vehicles those emitting pollutants above the permissible level. Is on the rise in the Kolkata, West Bengal and what even more alarming is that private cars and taxis are the main culprits. The Statesman, Kolkata, October 4, 2006 8,340 vehicles sans pollution certificate prosecuted: The transport department has prosecuted 8,340 vehicles in last one month during its anti-pollution drive. It is mandatory for all vehicles on the city roads to carry and produce on demand a valid Pollution Level Certificate. There are 490 pollution-checking centres authorised by the transport department to provide convenient access to all owners to ensure compliance of exhaust emission standards in respect of their vehicles, irrespective of fuel mode. The Pioneer, New Delhi, October 9, 2006 B’lore, metros must shift to LNG: WHO: The World Health Organisation (WHO) said it was high time Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata followed New Delhi’s way and switched to LNG (liquefied natural gas) as rising pollution levels posed a serious health hazard to these cities. The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday said it was high time Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata followed New Delhi’s way and switched to LNG (liquefied natural gas) as rising pollution levels posed a serious health hazard to these cities. Deccan Herald, Bangalore, October 6, 2006 Polluting vehicle lands car major in the soup: In a major victory for an owner who was sold a defective car, a consumer court has directed Tata Motors Limited to pay Rs 7.68 lakh, including refund and compensation, as the vehicle had excessive emissions and failed to pass pollution tests even after several efforts to rectify the the problem. Holding Tata Motors guilty of selling a defective Tata Safari to Santosh Kataria, a west Delhi resident, State Consumer Commission president Justice J D Kapoor and member Rumnita Mittal said: ‘‘A consumer purchases new commodities expecting that they will function without any trouble for at least a few years.’’ The Times of India, New Delhi, October 9, 2006 Govt backs monopoly for city gas ventures: The oil ministry has decided against allowing multiple players in any city for piping cooking gas to households and selling CNG (compressed natural gas) for automotive use. The ministry’s one-cityone-player line goes along the pitch made by British Gas and GAIL India — who have a joint venture in the form of Mahanagar Gas Ltd in Mumbai — but runs opposite Mukesh Ambani-controlled Reliance Industries’ push for a free-for-all. But there’s a catch.The Times of India, New Delhi, October 9, 2006 Simbhaoli commissions ethanol, plant at Chilwaria, UP: Simbhaoli Sugar Mills Ltd commissioned its new Rs 25 crore ethanol plant at Chilwaria in Uttar Pradesh. Business Line, New Delhi, http://www.hindubusinessline.com  October 6, 2006 No crackers after 10 pm: Bombay HC:  No sound-emitting firecrackers between 10 pm and 6 am during Diwali, Dhanteras and Lakshmi Pooja, the Bombay High Court has ruled. Hearing a public interest litigation filed by city resident Gaurang Vohra, seeking noise levels be curbed during festivals, a division bench of Justice H L Gokhale and Justice J P Devadhar has ordered the state and the police to ensure that no crackers are burst after 10 pm. The ban will now extend to the days of Dhanteras and Lakshmi Pooja, for which the state had earlier extended the noise deadline to midnight. Crackers that emit only light are, however, not included in the ban. The Times of India, New Delhi, October  6, 2006 High capacity bus corridor gets going: In yet another step towards modernising the public transport in the national capital, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit will lay the foundation stone for the much-awaited first dedicated corridor for the hi-tech High Capacity Bus System (HCBS.The Pioneer, New Delhi, www.dailypioneer.com  October 4, 2006 CM gives nod to 2 metro lines: In a Cabinet meeting held by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, an approval to two metro lines has been given. The foundation stone for High Capacity Bus System will also be laid on Wednesday by the chief minister. Talking to reporters about Line II of the Delhi Metro, she said that it would be extended to Sushant Lok in Haryana from Central Secretariat. The Asian Age, New Delhi, October 4, 2006 India gets first battery operated e-bike: Mumbai based R.K. Rim Private Limited, a group company of R.K. Group of Industries, has launched India`s first battery operated electric e-Bike with brand name "Matrix". R. K Group is the first group to bring the e-bike technology into the sub-continent. The Asian Age, New Delhi, October 4, 2006 Hiccups in BEST’s eco friendly move: The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking attempt to turn the familiar red buses to an ecofriendly green may not take off. Economic reasons will outweigh ecological ones in BEST bid to experiment with bio diesel made from renewable sources of energy like vegetable oil. The Indian Express, Mumbai, October 2, 2006 MORE>>