Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) In the News

Truckers sell old vehicles even as Union plans to move SC
Fearing seizure of their 15 years old transport vehicles in Mumbai by the transport autority in Maharashtra, a section of truck transport operators have jacked up the freigth rates ranging between Rs 1,000-1,500 per 9-tn truck pay load.What is more, a segment of panic-struck truckers have also begun to sell their trucks at "very low prices", industry sources say. Within a week`s time of the Mumbai High Court`s order, around 80-100 vehicles woudl have changed hands, they add. Fearing seizure of their 15 years old transport vehicles in Mumbai by the transport autority in Maharashtra, a section of truck transport operators have jacked up the freigth rates ranging between Rs 1,000-1,500 per 9-tn truck pay load.What is more, a segment of panic-struck truckers have also begun to sell their trucks at "very low prices", industry sources say. Within a week`s time of the Mumbai High Court`s order, around 80-100 vehicles woudl have changed hands, they add.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, Oct. 27, 2003 Page 9

Machines to check vehicle emission stuck at IGI
For nearly a month now, three hi-tech gadgets for checking vehicle emission, have been lying at the Delhi airport. The Delhi government`s transport department Rs 1.5 crore on each of these machines that were shipped in from Sri Lanka. These remote-sensing machines will analyse a moving vehcile`s emission and record its registration number if the pollutants in the emission is higher than the permissible limits. For nearly a month now, three hi-tech gadgets for checking vehicle emission, have been lying at the Delhi airport. The Delhi government`s transport department Rs 1.5 crore on each of these machines that were shipped in from Sri Lanka. These remote-sensing machines will analyse a moving vehcile`s emission and record its registration number if the pollutants in the emission is higher than the permissible limits.

The Times of India, New Delhi, Oct. 27, 2003 Page 4

Environment News: Watch this haze, there is some bad news breaking
Puja Birla

For those all set to splurge on crackers this Diwali, a note of caution
This year the pollution levels are much worse than last year, and for some dangerous pollutants above dangerous levels. Today’s haze over Delhi is just one indication. Delhi inhales cleaner air compared to previous years but lack of pro-active action for the past 12 months has resulted in a gradual inching up of pollutants on the monitoring charts of the Central Pollution Control Board. In a report submitted to the Supreme Court in June this year, the Bhure Lal Committee pointed out that although better technology and improved fuel quality have helped clean up Delhi’s air, ‘‘increasing number of vehicles has the potential to nullify the results achieved’’. ‘‘The intensity of traffic in the Capital is not being regulated. The reason why NOx and RSPM are recording higher levels this year is because the influx of traffic has gone up,’’ says Anumita Roy Chowdhary of the CSE.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, Oct. 24, 2003, Page 1supp

BPCL launches Speed-93 brand
Consumer research shows that vehicle owners are not averse to paying more for a fuel which enhances their driving experience, a senior official of the Bharat petroleum Corporation Limited said, at the launch of the company`s `Speed-93` brand petrol in Chennai today.

The Hindu, Chennai, October 23, 2003, Page No. 3 & www.hinduonnet.com

Commodity prices seen s urging after Diwali
Commodity prices are likely to shoot up further after Diwali if heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs) of 15 years and above are forced to go off the Mumbai roads immediately after January 2004 following the recent high court order. What is more, HCV-makers seem to be happy, as over 65,000 trucks would have to be scrapped if the high court order comes into force by the set time, and the Regional Transport Office (RTO) implements the HC’s order.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, Oct. 22, 2003 Page 1

New designs and clean cars of the future to dominate Tokyo show
Japanese auto makers aim to captivate drivers with environment-friendly concept cars at the Tokyo Motor Show, showcasing technology they hope will set a global standard for a rapidly growing segment. Toyota Motor Corp and Honda Motor Co Ltd, Japan’s top two, set a world first last year when they put on sale fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), which run on hydrogen and emit only water as a by-product. They are also alone in selling fuel-efficient gasoline-electric hybrid cars by the tens of thousands.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, Oct. 21, 2003 Page 11

Brakes put on Euro-II option for old trucks
Rejecting the pleas of 20,000 heavy-vehicle owners, the Bombay high court refused to relax earlier directives on old heavy vehicles, which specify that they shoudl be either phased out or have their engines converted to leser polluting fuels like CNG. The Court instead extended the pollution orders to include old heavy vehicles registered outside Mumbai.

The Times of India, Mumbai,Oct 18, 2003 Page 3

First blow to land on aged diesel taxis
The action plan prepared by the state Government to reduce air pollution envisages phasing out polluting commercial vehicles and those which are more than 20-years old by 2009, conversion of three-wheelers to LPG mode within a year and stoppage of sale of fuel to vehicles without PUC certificate.

The New Indian Express, Hyderabad, October 17, 2003, Page No. 3

Fuel only to vehicles with PUC from Dec
Come December and petrol bunks will sell fuel only to those motor vehicles which have a pollution under-control certificate. The rule is in line with a directive by the Supreme Court that the administration initiate immediate steps to reduce air pollution in Hyderabad.

Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad, October 17, 2003, Page No. 1

Govt told to survey old vehicles, take action
The Karnataka High Court directed the State government to conduct a survey of old vehicles, unfit for operation on public roads, and take action either to suspend or cancel registration of such vehicles. Justice R Gururajan passed the order while dismissing a petition filed by owner of a medium goods vehicle questioning the action taken by the Regional Transport Officer, Madikeri to suspend the registration of his vehicle, which was more than 40 years old.

Deccan Herald, Bangalore, Oct 17, 2003 Page 5

Lean and green cars coming to Japan soon
Japanese carmakers are all set to showcase concept cars tha tare cheaper and cleaner to run. This is part of a drive t bolster flagging domestic demand for vehicles. Toyota Motor plans to display at least three green concept cars at the Tokyo Motor Show next week, including a fuel-cell powered compact minivan.

The Asian Age, New Delhi, October 17, 2003 Page 6

`PUC norms for diesel vehicles old`
The government of India`s new auto policy is forcing automobile assembly lines to pop out more eco-riendly vehicles. But activists say the norms for pollution on the roads - especially for diesel vehicles - remain grounded in the last century.

The pollution under control (PUC) norms have been reviewed for the first time in 15 years, with the union ministry of road transport, highways issuing a draft notification recently. But while the ministry has tightened the standards for petrol vehicles, the norms for diesel vehicles have not been changed at all.

The Times of India, Mumbai, Oct 16, 2003 Page 2

Stillwater inks deal to recycle autocatalyst PGMs:
Stillwater Mining Co. SWCw.N said that Power Mount Inc. will supply autocatalysts, which are rich in platinum group metals, for Stillwater to recycle at its Montana smelting and refining facility. Under the long-term deal, Stillwater will purchase secondary catalytic converter material that is sourced by Power Mount mostly from automobile repair shops and yards that dissemble old cars for the recycling of their parts, a Stillwater statement said.Once the precious metals platinum, palladium and rhodium are recycled at Stillwater`s Columbus, Montana, facility, the metal will be sold for reuse.

Planet Ark (Internet), Australia, October 16, 2003

Honda boards the diesel bandwagon:
Amid growing popularity in Europe, Japanese carmakers are developing an enthusiasm for the engine. Technology has rendered out-of-date the deep-routed perception of diesels as being slow, smelly an smoky. Last year, just under 6m diesel cars were sold in western Europe – 40 per cent of the new car total. By 2007, sales will have risen to almost 8m, or 52 per cent, according to Global Insight, a market analysis group.

Financial Times, London, October 15, 2003 Page 8

The emissions race hots up:
The good thing about the Toyota Prius saloon, according to Britain’s Car magazine, is that ‘it’s totally saving the world, dude,’ The bad points of the advanced petrol-electric hybrid made by Japan’s biggest car company? It is a ‘slow, ugly, nasty drive’. The motoring magazine sums up the views of most of Europe’s drivers when it concludes by recommending that the environmentally conscious buy a diesel instead. For Europeans – both manufacturers and consumers – the race to provide a green car is being won by diesel, not hybrids. Officials in Brussels say European manufacturers’ proposals on how to reduce pollutants are ‘not substantial’.

Financial Times, London, October 15, 2003 Page 8

Car sales boom in September; 13% rise
Car sales surged by nearly 13 per cent in September with almost all manufacturers such as Maruti Udyog, Hyundai Motor India and Tata Motors recording a growth. Car sales went up for the sixth consecutive month to 56,764 units over 50,292 units in September 2002, data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers showed. Sales during April-September 2003 grew by a robust 23.7 per cent to 3.19 lakh units from 2.58 lakh cars during the same period last year.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, October 15, 2003, Page No. 10

Honda improves fuel – cell car in bid to surpass global rivals
Honda Motor Co. said it developed a fuel- cell car that can run at sub zero temperatures, a move that may help it pull ahead of its global rivals in the competition to develop environmentally friendly technologies. Japan’s second-biggest auto maker in terms of sales
said it developed the world’s first fuel-cell vehicle equipped with a fuel-cell stack that can operate at temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius.

The Asian Wall Street Journal, Hong Kong, A3, October 13, 2003

How many private vehicles? Govt scratches head
The Delhi State transport department doesn’t know how many private vehicles are there in the city. The department, it seems has not updated its data since last year. All that transport officials have to say about the private vehicle population in the city is that the figure ranges between 36 and 38 lakh.

The Times of India, New Delhi, October 13, 2003 Page No. 4

Many holes in emission norms
If you think Euro III emission norms for new vehicles will mean a clean ride, think again. The government caste system ensures only the bigger cities and Taj-sensitive Agra will get a quick mop-up. Even in these, more vehicles, old vehicles potholed roads, traffic jams and adultered fuel will mean higher emissions and a polluted ride. Sunita Narain, head of an NGO which has been pushing for clean air, questions the selection of 11 cities for speedier enforcement of the European emission norms the government is adopting.

The Times of India, New Delhi, October 13, 2003 Page No. 9

Because there`s something in the air:
As the winter smog descends on Delhi, a vast majority of its people find it difficult to breathe. The haze is loaded with tiny, toxic pollutants that escape from the vehicle exhaust. It chokes patients suffering from asthma and other lung ailments. Some of these tiny particles, called respiratory suspended particulate matter, can even cause cancer because they penetrate deep into the lung and cause irreparable damage to the walls; tinier the particles, the deadlier they are. At the ITO crossing, for example, respirable particulate matter of less than 10 micron size, called PM10, reached five times the permissible limit before CNG in all public buses was mandated. The World Health Organisation says that there is no safe level for particulate pollution.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, October 12, 2003 Page 5(s)

Green fuels sooner rather than later
The Auto Fuel Policy announced by the Centre was bad news because it pushed back all deadlines endorsed by the Supreme Court. But there is one roadmap that’s on track: the use of biofuel to cut harmful vehicular emissions by almost 50 per cent. In eight states, petrol is already being ‘‘blended’’ with a five-percent ethanol mix—with no change in vehicle engines— and the Government says it’s serious to bring this to the entire country by 2004.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, October 08, 2003, Page No. 1

Fuel cell cars will make hybrids obsolete, GM says
Less than a week after its biggest Japanese rival touted the economic and ecological benefits of hybrids, General Motors made a case of its own this week: only hydrogen-fueled cars will survive in the endgame. As the debate heats up over what the car of the future will ultimately look like, auto makers are staging a loud public relations battle to play up their strengths and justify the huge spending on developing the technologies so far.

Planet Ark (Internet), Australia, October 08, 2003

Fuelling a change
While evaluating the Centre’s auto fuel policy, it is well to recall that the Supreme Court had not long ago strong-armed the government into enforcing strict vehicular emission norms in the principal metros. Its chief concern was with public health being put to serious risk by the polluting exhaust from the growing number of motor vehicles. Going a step further, the apex court had also insisted on the use of preferred technologies — such as CNG for buses and autorickshaws — in order to limit pollution levels that were choking the key cities...editorial

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, October 08, 2003, Page No. 10

Three Steps Back
The National Auto Fuel Policy that has been cleared by the Union cabinet epitomises the aphorism, one step forward, two steps back. Actually, it has gone three steps back. Remember, it was only after constant prodding from the apex court in the late 1990s that the reluctant central and Delhi governments were forced to introduce Euro-II norms and compressed natural gas for public transport by 2000 in Delhi, that resulted in a 40 per cent drop in particulate emissions. The central government at that time wanted to push the deadline for Euro-II norms back by five years. The same dilatory tactics seem to be at work in the deadlines for various metros and cities in the country. (Editorial)

The Financial Express, New Delhi, October 08, 2003, Page No. 6

SC clean air plan up in Govt smoke
Delaying key deadlines and diluting norms endorsed by the Supreme Court on vehicular pollution, the Cabinet today cleared the first ‘‘National Auto Fuel Policy’’ laying the roadmap for the next decade on the quality of fuels and the standards for vehicles. The disturbing upshot of the policy—first reported in The Sunday Express on September 28—is that while 11 most polluted cities, including the three metros (plus Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Surat, Pune, Kanpur, Agra and Bangalore), will only catch up with Delhi by 2005, the rest of the country will have to wait for a ‘‘review’’ in 2006 to see if they will get clean fuel and vehicles by 2010.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, October 07, 2003, Page No. 1

Euro-IV norms by 2010
The Government has laid out a phased programme for introducing Euro-IV vehicular emission norms in the country by 2010, requiring an investment of Rs 55,000 crore by oil and automobile companies in improving fuel quality and vehicular engine specifications. "The Cabinet has approved an Auto Fuel Policy that lays a roadmap for implementing Euro-II, III and IV vehicular emission standards by 2010," Petroleum Minister Ram Naik said. The Bharat Stage II (equivalent to Euro-II norms), which are currently in place in 11 cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat, Kanpur and Agra, will be applicable to all automobiles throughout the country from April 1, 2005.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, October 07, 2003, Page No. 11

Euro-IV norms to cost Rs 55,000 crore
The government announced a phased programme for introducing Euro-IV vehicular emission norms in the country by 2010, requiring a total investment of Rs 55,000 crore by the oil and automobile industry. The policy will seek to improve fuel quality and vehicular engine specifications.

The Economic Times, New Delhi, October 07, 2003, Page No. 1

CSE spurns auto fuel policy, calls it an eyewash
Dubbing the national auto fuel policy as an "eyewash", Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) alleged the policy played into the hands of polluters and will destroy the Supreme Court`s initiative to protect public health. "The national auto fuel policy announced by minister for petroleum and natural gas Ram Naik, is nothing better than an eye wash. The policy, which plays into the hands of polluters, will destroy the SC initiative to protect public health," a CSE statement said.

The Economic Times, New Delhi, October 07, 2003, Page No. 7

Only fuel cell cars will survive: GM
Less than a week after its biggest Japanese rival touted the economic and ecological benefits of hybrids, General Motors made a case of its own only hydrogen fuelled cars will survive in the endgame. As the debate heats up over what the car of the future will ultimately look like, auto makers are staging a loud public relations battle to play up their strengths and justify the huge spending on developing the technologies so far.

Business Standard, New Delhi, October 07, 2003, Page No. 5

Plan to clean cities cleared
With the Cabinet`s green signal to the Auto Fuel Policy, the Government has accepted a road map to clean the air of cities all across the country. The significance of the decision is whether other metros will follow Delhi example to first target pollution from public vehicles or private ones. The Supreme Court has taken some hard decisions in the course of hearing of the air pollution public interest petition, to put pressure on the State Government to introduce CNG-run public transport system. Whether the apex court will also follow progress in other cities is an unanswered question. However, at the peak of the CNG crisis in Delhi, the court had mentioned that it will bring other highly-polluted cities like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Lucknow under its scanner.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, October 06, 2003, Page No. 4

Honda’s new fuel-saving system
Honda Motor said that it has developed a new fuel-saving, emissions-cutting technology for use in 50CC scooters a year and a half ahead of schedule, and plans to install it in all Japanese models by 2007. The system, which uses an electronically-controlled fuel injection system in four-stroke 50CC engines, reduces emissions of harmful carbon monoxide gases by half and improves fuel efficiency by up to 10 per cent compared with conventional scooters, the motorcycle maker said.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, October 04, 2003, Page No. 11

Auto fuel policy gets cabinet nod
The Union Cabinet cleared the auto fuel policy for the country on the recommendations of the Dr R A Mashelkar Committee. The panel had formulated a roadmap for vehicular emission norms to be effective from April 1, 2005 and Euro III to come into effect from April 1, 2010.

The Economic Times, New Delhi, October 04, 2003, Page No. 4

Environment-friendly auto fuel policy likely
The auto fuel policy is likely to change with the petroleum and road transport ministries suggesting a road map for introduction of environment-friendly norms. The issue is likely to be discussed by the Union Cabinet. An important issue under consideration is whether the government should recommend both technology and norms. A section in the government feels that only norms should be prescribed by the government and the choice of technology should be left to consumers. In Delhi, however, norms (Euro II) as well as technology (CNG) were prescribed.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, October 03, 2003, Page No. 13

Watch out that killer smoke...
Air pollution in cities causes five times as many deaths and illness as malaria! Black smoke bellowing out of vehicles, especially diesel trucks, buses and autorickshaws have clouded up cities. Vehicular population in Bangalore city has crossed an alarming 17 lakh. There is an increasing incidence of respiratory illnesses and deaths.

Deccan Herald, Bangalore, October 02, 2003, Page No. 3

Ethanol-blended petrol extended to Uttaranchal and Madhya Pradesh
The government decided to launch ethanol-blended petrol in Madhya Pradesh and Uttaranchal with effect from January 1, 2004. The ethanol supplies to these States would be made from the neighbouring States of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh till the ethanol-petrol blending projects are set up in the respective States. Talking to the media, Petroleum Minister Ram Naik said that the States of Goa, Haryana, Maharashtra and Punjab and the Union Territories (UTs) of Chandigarh and Dadra & Nagar-Haveli have been now fully covered by the supply of ethanol-blended petrol as on September 30, 2003. Most of the districts of Karnataka, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh have also been fully covered. Naik also announced that the mandatory sale time schedule is being extended.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, October 02, 2003, Page No. 14

City`s suburbs may also get CNG stations
The Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) will now take the green fuel — Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to Delhi’s neighbouring states. According to the managing director of IGL, A K De the organisation is conducting a feasibility study on setting up CNG stations in Noida, Greater Noida and Ghazaiabad. ‘‘It is in the initial stages, but we have been studying the situation,’’ he said. The setting up of CNG stations in Delhi’s eastern suburbs was thought of because of the large number of buses and auto rickshaws that ferry passengers to these satellite townships. These vehicles had to come back to the city limits to get CNG fuel.

The Times of India, New Delhi, October 01, 2003, Page No. 4

Passengers wait to breathe easy
No one denies that the 1.5 billion passengers on flights worldwide every year breathe cleaner air since smoking bans started in 1990. But complaints from passengers and flight attendants of headaches, other health ailments and odours linked to the air on planes have piled up for years. It’s anyone’s guess whether cabin air pressure — thin air equivalent to that found on an 8,000-foot mountaintop — is healthy. That air pressure provides about 74 per cent of the oxygen available at sea level.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, October 01, 2003, Page No. 15

Haryana & Punjab to sell green fuel from today
Come October 1, ethanol blended petrol would be on sale in Punjab and Haryana. The two states would be joining UP and Maharashtra which have been offering the eco friendly fuel for the past couple of months.

The Economic Times, New Delhi, October 01, 2003, Page No. 5

Ministry keen to set up fly ash training institute
The Union Ministry for Urban Development is willing to support the setting up of a national training institute for promoting the utilisation of fly ash and rice husk ash and create trained manpower. Announcing this, the Minister of State for Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation, Mr Bandaru Dattatreya, said there was an urgent need to translate the large amount of fly ash (a thermal power plant waste) and rice husk (paddy wastes), which are potentially harmful to the environment into useful products like bricks.

Business Line, New Delhi, October 01, 2003, Page No. 11

To retrofit or not to, HC will decide soon
The Bombay High Court will soon decide whether to allow the 20,000 odd heavy vehicles with Euro-II compliant engines instead of scrapping them altogether. The vehicle owners have been pushing for retrofitting Euro-II engines, which comply with stricter environment norms, as a viable option to replacing vehicles entirely or converting the engines to run on CNG.

The Times of India, Mumbai, September 30, 2003, Page No. 2

Curcas power
Imagine the scenario. Hundreds of vehicles plying on the roads and not a puff of suffocating smoke going up into the air. No longer a dream if one goes by what the Chief Minister of Karnataka said at a recent scientific workshop in Bangalore. The reason - vehicles in the city will soon be running on a more environment friendly fuel (a mixture of five percent ethanol and petrol) which is likely to be made available in seven districts of Karnataka including the city of Bangalore. If the proposed idea were to actually reach practical heights, problems like pollution associated with the use of petrol and diesel, and concerns over the rapidly depleting sources of oil and fuel would largely be put to rest.

Deccan Herald, Bangalore, 1supp, September 30, 2003

New rules target metropolis` diesel exhaust
Tokyo and its neighboring prefectures will debut regulations to curb emissions from diesel-powered trucks and buses to clear up the region`s air pollution problem -- the nation`s worst. It is the first attempt by local governments to jointly impose stricter regulations than those set by the national government to control particulate matter emissions from diesel vehicles.

Japan Times (Internet), Japan, September 30, 2003

Govt move on ‘green’ fuels hits roadblock
The government’s initiative to go green with eco-friendly fuels has suffered a setback with petroleum dealers opposing the introduction of the new ethanol-blended petrol (EBP) due to “lack of infrastructure” and the vehicle-users apprehensive of using it. The Centre has introduced the EBP in nine states across the country in a phased manner since January this year, in order to reduce pollution levels. The use of ethanol reduces the emission of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from vehicles. It was also a move to help ailing sugar factories in the country as ethanol is produced from molasses.

Deccan Herald, Bangalore, September 27, 2003, Page No. 1

CNG may be a reality in the city by 2005
In the wake of the rising pollution levels in the twin cities of Andhra Pradesh, the Road Transport Authority is actively considering to implement the usage of Compressed Natural Gas for vehicles plying in the twin cities. It is proposed that CNG will be available in the twin cities by 2005.

Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad, September 27, 2003, Page No. 4

Body set up to finalize plan: Plying of CNG buses in Capital
The deputy commissioner, Tariq Mehmood Pirzada, (Pakistan) formed a committee to finalize the plan of introducing CNG-fitted buses in the capital. The committee will comprise secretary, Islamabad Traffic Authority (ITA), Rana Akbar Hayat, SP Traffic Zubair Hashmi and the CDA director roads. The body was formed after a briefing given by a private firm which intended to launch a new bus service with 25 CNG-fitted vehicles.

Dawn (Internet), Pakistan, September 25, 2003

More rectors only when convinced-Kakodkar
Vehicular pollution will be a thing of the past in the near future. Making it happen will be fuel cell powered vehicles zooming on roads and highways. If that seems a distant dream, scientists at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research are daring a dream and are actually perfecting the technology to produce hydrogen from seawater.

The Hindu, New Delhi, September 25, 2003, Page No. 17 & www.hinduonnet.com

Meet on biofuels on September 26
With ethanol production growing worldwide, Apitco is organising a conference on the "Prospects of ethanol a sustainable bio-fuel" in Hyderabad on September 26. The meet is being organised to showcase demand and potential for bio fuels as alternate fuel.

Business Standard, New Delhi, September 25, 2003, Page No. 4

Poor quality fuel takes toll on drivers
Private bus operators blamed the low quality fuel issued by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation as one of the reasons for the high rate of road accidents since this renders their drivers medically unfit to properly carry out their task. Private Bus Owners Association Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne told a press conference that the failure to provide quality fuel for buses has resulted in a spate of grave road accidents.

Daily News (Internet), Sri Lanka, September 24, 2003

Meeting to discuss prospects of ethanol
The potential for biofuels or cleaner fuels can help the country save about Rs 830 crore foreign exchange annually. By using ethanol as a substitute for gasoline and biodiesel for petro, diesel, biofuels help to reduce air pollution and dependance on oil report, according to a report submitted by the Planning Commission. With energy diversification and added fuel choice, biofuels are renewable and eco-friendly. Produced from biomass such as sugarcane, molasses, sweet sorghum, grains and oilseeds, the usage of these fuels are already wide spread in the US, Europe, Brazil and China which has led to higher biomass yield and rural employment.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, September 23, 2003, Page No. 13

Schwarzenegger Says He Will Push Fuel Cell Cars
Action star Arnold Schwarzenegger, who drives a gas-guzzling Hummer, promised that if he became governor of California he would promote hydrogen-fueled cars and solar energy. "I want clean air, clean water and a clean environment," the Terminator star said at a campaign appearance in Carpinteria, about 85 miles northwest of Los Angeles. The Republican actor, running neck-and-neck with Democratic Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, promised to cut air pollution by 50 percent in California and to forge a "public-private partnership" to create stations for hydrogen-powered cars every 20 miles on major Interstate highways by 2010.

Planet Ark (Reuters), Australia, September 23, 2003

Spurious diesel racket busted
A police team busted a racket manufacturing and selling spurious diesel and seized 50,000 litres of fake diesel and lubricants, besides manufacturing equipment. A police team busted a racket manufacturing and selling spurious diesel and seized 50,000 litres of fake diesel and lubricants, besides manufacturing equipment.

The Times of India, New Delhi, September 22, 2003, Page No. 5

Car industry set for takeoff: Study
Indian automobile industry, which has witnessed major growth in the past decade, has much to be optimistic about in the coming years too. A boom is expected in the passenger car as well as the motorcycles and multi-utility vehicles segments. However, the scooter industry will continue to remain under pressure. A National Council for Applied Economic Research (NCAER) study says the projected demand for passenger cars in 20011-12 will touch 12.27 lakh units from 6.13 lakh in 2002-03, a compounded annual growth rate of 8 per cent.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, September 23, 2003 page 17

France aims to become leader in clean transport
France is to invest nearly €40 million into the research and development of sustainable transport. The government this week announced its ambitions to head up the industrialised nations in cleaner transport methods by 2010, and to increase the innovation and competitiveness of the transport sector. France is investing in cleaner, sustainable transport to cut emissions.

Edie (Internet), UK, September 19, 2003

Automobile exports zip ahead
Indian automobiles have created a niche, running in the fast lane in the international markets as is evident from the continued growth in exports of all auto segments--passenger cars, utility vehicles, two-wheelers and three-wheelers. The passenger car exports saw an overall growth of 69.7 per cent at 43,988 units in the first five months this fiscal against 25,906 units in the same period last fiscal, according to figures released by the Society for Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

The Pioneer, New Delhi, September 18, 2003 Page 11

Car exhaust cleaner than air
Imagine a car that pollutes so little, the exhaust is cleaner than the air you breathe in many cities, so nearly free of pollution that it’s immeasurable by normal means. Now imagine that instead of a science-fiction machine, it looks and drives like any other car, is priced about the same and uses the same unleaded gasoline you’ve been buying at the corner petrol pump. Ford and Toyota begin selling such cars in the US next month. The automakers are sweetening the package by swallowing the cost of making the vehicles nearly pollution-free.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, September 17, 2003 Page 14

State promotes `ratanjot` oil as `bio-diesel`
The Gujarat State Forest Department has recommended the exploitation of various species of trees to produce bio-fuel. A department spokesman said that `bio-diesel;` is a possible alternative keeping in view the rising demand for crude oil. `Bio-diesel` is obtained from the seeds of various trees, including `ratanjot` (jatrofa), `karanj` and `mahuda`. These species can be easily grown and crude oil obtained from their seeds can be used as engine fuel. Of these trees, `ratanjot` is the most important one and its seeds can be used to produce bio-diesel.

The Times of India, Ahmedabad, Sept 16, 2003

Emission test centres to require PCB nod
Vehicle owners in the Kolkata city have always found it easy to get a Pollution Under Control Certificate from a testing centre by shelling out a meagre Rs 30 extra. The pollution control board has now woken from its slumber and decided to take matters in its own
hands.

The Statesman, Kolkata, spIII, September 15, 2003

Hyundai plans to introduce diesel Santro
The Indian subsidiary of South Korean automaker Hyundai plans to introduce a diesel engine version of its flagship car Santro, its managing director J.I. Kim said. The 1.1-litre engine which would be based on common rail diesel injection (Crdi) technology was currently being developed by Hyundai Motor’s subsidiary in Korea, Kia Motors, and is expected to be commercially launched by 2005, Kim said. “Previously, we had dropped the idea of developing a 1.1-litre crdi engine for the Santro. But, now it has been revived”, he said in an interview.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, September 15, 2003, Page No. 11

Banned tempos to get plying permits
Instead of banning tempos which are responsible for major pollution, the Madhya Pradesh state government has chosen to encourage them. Under the pressure of some local Congress leaders in view of the forthcoming elections, an order of 50 new permits was released by the government.

Free Press, Indore, September 14, 2003, Page No. 3

Watchdog wants fewer 2-stroke vehicles in war against pollution
In what might be the next step to fighting pollution in Delhi, the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) has asked the Supreme Court to direct the Union Transport Ministry to frame policies to reduce the number of personal vehicles in the city, especially two-wheelers. According to the EPCA, pollution problems arising out of two-wheelers are unique in Asian countries as in Europe and the United States there are not as many two-wheleers. Two-wheelers in the National Capital Region are largely two-stroke and thus one of the major pollutants of the city. "We want tax incentives should be given to those who buy two-wheelers meeting emissions norms meant for 2008 by 2005," said Anmita Roy Chaudhary of the Centre for Science and Environment, who conducted the study for EPCA.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, September 12, 2003, Page No. 2

Auto fuel policy: north block says duties can’t be polluted
The finance ministry has turned down the provisions for fiscal incentives in the proposed auto fuel policy, as sought by the Mashelkar committee. According to sources, the finance ministry is not in favour of "end-use based exemption or extending full duty exemption to any commodity". The comments of the finance ministry are being included in the draft Cabinet note being prepared on the new auto fuel policy. The Mashelkar report had sought lower customs duty on imported capital goods and machinery required for improving fuel quality, including liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas and other alternative fuel technology. The report had also suggested lower excise duty on indigenously manufactured goods, equipment and machinery to better fuel quality and auto technology including compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, and other alternative fuels.9

The Financial Express, New Delhi, September 11, 2003 Page No. 3

Smart cards to cost city Rs 130 cr
The change-over to optical smart cards from paper registration books for vehicles will cost Delhiites Rs 130 crore. Each smart card will cost Rs 370 apart from registration charges which may vary according to the category of the vehicle. Getting a smart card is mandatory for vehicle owners with Delhi registration numbers.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, September 10, 2003 Page No. 5

KRCL ropes in German firm to certify sky bus system
With not much help forthcoming in the country for testing its sky bus system, Konkan Railway Corporation (KRCL) has roped in German agency TUV InterTraffic GmbH for certifying the system. The corporation has also asked the various state governments to enact a Sky Bus Metro Act so that the systems when introduced will need to get safety clearance from a sky bus safety commissioner and not the Railway safety commissioner.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, September 09, 2003, Page No. 3

Why don`t they buy diesel?
Cheaper adulterated versions depress diesel consumption in an era of decontrol. Green fuels add to the lowered demand.

Outlook, New Delhi, sp88, September 8, 2003

CM’s ‘green’ gift for vehicle-owners
A more environment-friendly fuel, a mixture of five percent ethanol and petrol, will be made available in the city by the end of the month. This was announced by Chief Minister S.M. Krishna during the inauguration of a two-day workshop on ‘‘Scientific strategies for production of non-edible oils’’. ‘‘Five percent ethanol-blended petrol will be introduced in seven districts including Bangalore, by the end of September 2003,’’ the CM said in his speech, that was read out by Minister for Environment and Ecology Allum Veerabhadrappa.

The New Indian Express, Bangalore, September 07, 2003, Page No. 3

Modalities for battery-operated buses discussed
The Delhi Transport Corporation discussed the modalities of introducing battery operated buses in the Walled City with the Union Minister of State for Sports, Mr Vijay Goel told the Transport Minister in the Government of NCT of Delhi, Mr Ajay Maken that Rs 30 lakh had been sanctioned from his Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme for plying 10 such buses.

The Tribune, New Delhi, sp3, September 06, 2003

Anti-pollution norms silent on diesel vehicles
Pointing out that lax norms and inadequate testing methods remain the bane of our roads, the Centre for Science and Environment came down heavily on the revised Pollution Under Control norms issued by the Union Ministry of Road Transport, arguing that it was silent on diesel vehicles which still remain the source of deadly particles in the air.

The Hindu, New Delhi, September 06, 2003, Page No. 4 & www.hinduonnet.com

Pesticides to pollution: CSE rides a new cause
From pesticides to vehicular pollution, Delhi-based NGO — the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) raised a new issue. Criticising the new draft notification on revised pollution under control (PUC) norms which lets off diesel vehicles, CSE said that even as the government had woken up after more than 10 years to revise the PUC norms, it had however shied away from touching diesel vehicles — the dirtiest on the road. “The CSE is shocked that this first ever revision since 1992 has not even addressed on-road diesel emissions, neither has the notification laid out test procedures for all types of vehicles,” CSE associate director, research and advocacy, Anumita Roychowdhury said.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, September 06, 2003, Page No. 4

Elf to launch oil for CNG vehicles
ELF Lubricants India plans to introduce engine oils for CNG and LPG vehicles within the next two weeks. The new product "Lubrigas" will be positioned as a premium gas oil for makers of CNG vehicles such as Swaraj Mazda and also at specialised service stations. "Lubrigas will not be made directly available through the `bazaar` or informal distribution network. The product will be supplied in barrels to CNG vehicles` service stations in Mumbai and Delhi within the next two weeks and will cost higher than ordinary engine oils," Mr P.K. Mittal, Vice-President Sales, TotalFinaElf, told Business Line.

Business Line, New Delhi, September 04, 2003, Page No. 2

Ethanol-mixed petrol in 8 States, 4 UTs by month-end
Eight States and four Union Territories will start using ethanol-blended petrol by the end of this month. According to Mr B.K. Chaturvedi, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the States and UTs, which will start using ethanol-blended motor spirit, include Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, Punjab, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Daman and Diu and Chandigarh, among others.

Business Line, New Delhi, September 04, 2003, Page No. 4

State to ‘test drive’ bio-fuel to check pollution, moot options
Contemplating to introduce bio-fuel as an alternative to conventional fossil-fuel, the Karnataka State Government has embarked upon a pilot project to see if bio-fuel actually makes the difference and reduce vehicular pollution in the city. The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) will run five buses on bio-fuel over the next three months. Once successfully established that this fuel reduces pollution, the government is thinking of switching over more public vehicles to bio-fuel. The Environment Management and Protection Research Institute (EMPRI) will be working on the feasibility of this fuel and its availability in the State.

The New Indian Express, Bangalore, 1supp, September 03, 2003

Honge oil to replace diesel in five BMTC buses
To bring down pollution levels, especially in urban centres, the Karnataka State government is all set to introduce bio-fuels in the State including blending of five per cent of ethanol, obtained from sugar molasses in petrol and the substitution of honge oil for diesel, Mr Vijay Gore, Additional Chief Secretary, Development Commissioner and Agricultural Production Commissioner. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Indian Oil Corporation and BMTC officials, he said sugar mills in Karnataka can produce 340 lakh litres of ethanol, but the production can go up considerably to enable blending of up to 20 per cent of ethanol in petrol.

Deccan Herald, Bangalore, September 03, 2003, Page No. 4

In the U.S., more cars than drivers
American households now have more cars than drivers, according to a report released by the Transportation Department. The American household now has on average 1.75 drivers but 1.90 ‘personal vehicles’, said the report. By comparison, households average 0.86 adult-size bicycles. The car population has been gaining on the driver population for some time.

International Herald Tribune, Bangkok, September 01, 2003, Page No. 2

Policy in the offing to attract CNG buses
The Punjab (Pakistan) government will soon announce a new policy package for the Franchised Urban Transport Scheme to encourage operation of environmentally friendly CNG buses. The government will offer 10 per cent subsidy on loans for the CNG operated buses under the new policy, while four per cent subsidy being offered on non-airconditioned buses will be withdrawn. The subsidy on loans for airconditioned buses will be reduced from eight per cent to five per cent.

Dawn (Internet), Pakistan, September 01, 2003

Bhutan to import superior quality diesel
The National environment commission (Bhutan) with the ministry of trade and industry (MTI) is planning to take cleaner air pursuit a step further –replacing the normal diesel fuel used in motor vehicles with ‘ultra low sulphur high speed diesel’ (ULS HSD). Negotiations with the Indian oil company, Bhsrat petroleum corporation limited (BPCL), dealer for the fuel, are complete and trade ministry now awaits the formal nod from the government.

Kuensel, Bhutan, August 30, 2003, Page No. 7

Reva electric car enters Andhra Pradesh market
Reva, India`s first electric vehicle, has entered Andhra Pradesh market with the opening of the showroom of the The Hindustan Corp Pvt Ltd, the Reva electric car dealers for Andhra Pradesh.

The New Indian Express, Hyderabad, August 30, 2003, Page No. 11

Andhra govt to give tax exemptions to electric vehicle manufacturers
In what could be a move to attract other electric vehicle manufacturers besides Reva Electric Car Company, the government of Andhra Pradesh (AP) has decided to give all electric vehicle manufacturers tax exemptions in the state. The exemptions of sales tax of 12 per cent and road tax of about nine per cent will be waived on electric vehicles as they are non-polluting vehicles. The move will help to reduce health hazards caused due to air pollutions and these non-polluting vehicles is a step towards maintaining eco-friendly environment.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, August 30, 2003, Page No. 4

EPA eases Clean Air Act and angers environmentalists
The Bush administration has outraged environmental groups with its amendment to the Clean Air Act, which opponents say will allow more air pollution from 17,000 industrial facilities in the US. Environmentalists say the changes in EPA rules will allow more emissions from power plants . The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has, this week, introduced a new rule into the Act, which will allow companies to be exempt from the ‘new source rule’ (NSR). This NSR requires corporations to install modern pollution control technologies in plants when they increase their emissions output through new equipment additions to their facilities.

Edie (Internet), UK, August 29, 2003

Australia releases Power Generator Scorecard
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has released an environmental audit of Australia’s major electricity generators, ranking them according to total greenhouse gas pollution. WWF say that the resultant document, the Power Generator’s Scorecard, will aid discussions about Australia’s energy future in the lead up to vital energy policy discussions at the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting on august 29, particularly as, at present, there are no mandatory requirements to reduce the greenhouse intensity of Australian power generation operations.

Edie (Internet), UK, August 29, 2003

Compromise on the EU-German road toll feud
The European Commission and the German government have reached an agreement on the new German road toll system for trucks. Under the agreement Germany can start charging trucks a toll, thought to start at €0.12 per kilometre rising to €0.15 over time, to use the German motorways. The government expects this to raise over €2 billion worth of income as a form of environmental tax.

Edie (Internet), UK, August 29, 2003

EPA says won`t regulate CO₂ emissions from autos
The Bush administration denied a petition by three environmental groups to declare carbon dioxide spewed by automobiles as a pollutant, saying it has no authority over emissions linked to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency said Congress did not give it the power to declare carbon dioxide from autos as a pollutant under the Clean Air Act. The heat-trapping gases have been linked to rising Earth temperatures by many scientists.

Planet Ark (Internet), Australia, August 29, 2003

Diesel sales falling as demand grows
Conventional wisdom says a sharp increase in sales of diesel engines indicates a corresponding hike in diesel consumption. But the reality is otherwise. According to oil industry sources, diesel consumption fell 5.5 per cent in the first four months of the current financial year, while sales of diesel cars surged over 50 per cent.

Business Standard, New Delhi, August 28, 2003 Page 8

Centre may allow State to use CNG as fuel
Allum: Environment Minister Allum Veerabhadrappa informed that Karnataka State may get clearance from the Centre for using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as fuel for public transport vehicles (PTVs) in Bangalore city since the Reliance Company is setting up a CNG base in Krishna-Godavari basin.Disclosing this at a press conference at Vartha Bhavan here, he said the Ministry of Environment, Government of Karnataka had sought permission from the Centre for using CNG as fuel for PTVs in Bangalore in the wake of largescale pollution. However, the Centre refused to accord permission now for the reason that Reliance Company was in the process of establishing the CNG base in Krishna-Godavari basin. "Once the base is established and pipelines are laid, the Centre may give permission to use CNG for vehicles in Bangalore," Mr Veerabhadrappa said. Mr Veerabhadrappa, who is also information minister, maintained that several measures had been taken to check pollution in Bangalore city.

Deccan Herald, Bangalore, August 27, 2003 Page 4

‘CNG did not intensify blasts’
Is eco-friendly CNG also terrorist-friendly? Although the fuel is highly explosive, experts said it did not significantly multiply the intensity of the explosions in the taxis used for the blasts in Mumbai. Reports that the terrorists had checked whether the vehicles used CNG before hiring them, fuelled speculation that the CNG had magnified the impact of the blasts considerably. However, both fuel and terrorist experts said CNG taxis were not likely to become the new vehicles of terror and that the gas would have intensified the explosions only marginally.

The Times of India, Mumbai, August 27, 2003 Page 3

30 more CNG filling stations in city by Dec
Some 30 more Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) filling stations would be put in place in Dhaka city by next December. These will be in addition to the 22 existing ones, State Minster for Energy and Mineral Resources AKM Mosharraf Hossain said while inaugurating a new CNG filling station in the city’s Mirpur area.

The Bangladesh Observer, Dhaka, August 26, 2003, Page No. 3

Anti-pollution drive slackens
Last November, Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna began a war against vehicular pollution by launching a padayatra, which was followed by a massive drive to book polluting vehicles and educate the masses. But unfortunately, like public memory, the drive too has been very short-lived as pollution levels continued to increase at an alarming pace. In fact, last week, the Supreme Court took note of it and sought to know what steps were being taken by both the centre and the state governments to check it.

The New Indian Express, Bangalore, August 26, 2003 4supp,

Workshop to promote environmentally friendly transport modes
With the aim of ensuring road safety and promoting an environmentally friendly, healthy and affordable form of transport for the urban population a workshop on promoting cycling has been organised by SEVANATHA - Urban Resource Centre and Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG) South Asia office, Colombo is being held from August 26 to 27 at Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Independence Square, Colombo 07. The workshop is expected to bring into focus various policies and mechanisms used by the Ministry of Transport and Highways, Urban Development Authority and Municipality Councils that support or discourage commuters from using non motorised transport.

The Island (Internet), Sri Lanka, August 26, 2003

Search for bio fuels moves into overdrive
The flashy Mercedes that pulls up to you near a traffic signal may very well be running on oil extracted from a small fruit called jathropa. The engine of the train that you travel in may again be powered by the same fuel called biodiesel. Anywhere in the world, when people say the word automobile, the first thing that comes to your mind is a petrol-guzzling engine belching out smoke. However, if some greenheads have their way, using fossil fuels in automobiles might be a thing of past. With the concerns about the depleting levels of petroleum as well as rising air pollution, the world is fast moving towards alternative fuels.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 25, 2003, Page No. 16

`Emission level in most MTC buses far above permissible limit`
The Madras High Court has ordered notices to the Transport Department and the Metropolitan Transport Corporation on a public interest litigation petition which highlights, among other things, the poor maintenance of MTC buses, pollution caused by them and frequent breakdowns.

The Hindu, Chennai, August 24, 2003 Page 3

Emission testing set to go hi-tech
The Tamil Nadu State Government has proposed October 1 as the deadline for all the existing emission testing centres to upgrade their emission checking equipment through computerisation.

The New Indian Express, Chennai, August 23, 2003 sp1

LPG plan for rickshaws could clean up air
If Ahmedabad is the most polluted city of the country, blame it on vehicular pollution. More than 13.5 lakh vehicles ply on the city roads emitting toxins in air. The 65,000 autorickshaws definitely take the `worst polluter` tag. Nearly 80% of toxins that impact the ambient air quality come from these three-wheelers, it is believed. But, now there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel. A move is about to switch the three-wheelers to LPG as a cheaper and non-polluting fuel.

The Times of India, Ahmedabad, August 22, 2003 Page 3

GBP60 fines for excessively emitting vehicles in Glasgow
Drivers in Glasgow could be fined a fixed penalty of £60 if their vehicle is found to be releasing excessive exhaust emissions. Regulations due to be implemented this week, will allow wardens to patrol areas in and around Scotland’s largest city, testing all modes of transport for compliance with the 1998 Road Vehicles Regulations. Checks will be made at random for the emission of smoke, vapour, gases and oily substances. If the vehicle fails the test, a £60 fine is issued – drivers can also be charged £20 if they refuse to turn off their engine when parked.

Edie (Internet), UK, August 22, 2003

Green transport for London
A new business venture, offering an alternative mode of transport, could see a healthier population of Londoners and cleaner city air. Green transport will soon be available in Hammersmith and Fulham. Courtesy of OY Bike 2003. OY Bikes is initiating a scheme to get Capital commuters pedalling their way around the city – rather than using the convention buses, trains, tubes, and taxis’. In and around Hammersmith and Fulham, 130 green and yellow bikes will be placed at 600 locations, offering customers a polluting-free method of travelling within the city. The pilot scheme is due to start in September and will place the bicycles at strategic transport points such as tube stations, public buildings and car parks.

Edie (Internet), UK, August 22, 2003

Ban import of second-hand car, used tyres: House panel
Criticising the auto policy as “short-sighted”, a Parliamentary panel demanded a total ban on import of second-hand cars and used tyres. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on industry, in its report tabled in Parliament, also flayed the policy for not having adequate incentives for upgradation and modernisation of buses considering that they were an indispensable mode of transport for majority of the population. “Despite this, like trucks, buses continue to run with obsolete technology, poor construction and have little to offer in passenger comfort,” it said adding, they also have an unenviable record in safety. The committee wanted a ban on import of second-hand cars as the country was being converted into a “graveyard for the cars or dumping ground for second-hand cars which is eating into the domestic car industry”.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, August 22, 2003, Page No. 10

Groups Urge EPA Nominee to Back Clean Diesel Rules
Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt, the Bush administration`s nominee to head the Environmental Protection Agency, was urged to implement federal rules by spring 2004 to reduce polluting emissions from heavy equipment and other non-road engines that run on diesel fuel.
Wednesday was the final day for public comments on an EPA proposal to sharply cut diesel pollution, which aggravates asthma, contributes to heart disease, causes lung cancer and obscures visibility in national parks.

Planet Ark (Internet), Australia, August 21, 2003

Registration of vehicles goes online
Owners of new cars and two-wheelers in the Capital can heave a sigh of relief as they won`t have to run around anymore for the registration certificate, thanks to the `simple` online registration of vehicles. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit inaugurated the direct "Online Self-registration System" from dealers of some automobile majors, which would enable obtaining the Registration Certificate (rc) without having to make endless trips to the Motor Licencing Office (MLO) or the transport headquarters. Transport Minister Ajay Maken and senior officials of Transport Department were also present on the occasion. The Transport department has short-listed 54 dealers as self-registering agencies and has now extended the system to be available online to the customer for added transparency.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, August 21, 2003, Page No. 3

CNG bus gutted while refilling
A Blueline bus was gutted in a fire that broke out while filling CNG in a Mahipalpur station. The incident has led the Delhi Contract Bus Association to complain to the Delhi Government about the bus being converted by a firm that has since closed its operations in Delhi. "The company was authorised by the government to convert diesel buses into CNG. Now the Delhi government should tell us who is liable for these accidents," said Harish Sabbarwal, secretary of the association. The firm had converted as many as 26 buses from diesel to CNG.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 21, 2003, Page No. 2

Emission Standards enforced from January
The Air Emission Standards which came into effect on July 1st 2003 will be fully enforced from 1st January 2004 by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and the relevant authorities concerned. The Institute of Automotive Engineers Sri Lanka has made arrangements to conduct programmes to create awareness among automotive engineers on the prohibited levels of emission of noxious gases from diesel and gasoline vehicles. The programme also seeks to meet challenges in the future regarding maintenance of vehicles and the type of equipments available. The first of these programmes where competent engineers from India will make presentations, gets underway on August 30 at the Ceylon German Technical Training Institute at Katubedda.

The Daily News (Internet), Sri Lanka, August 20, 2003