Calcutta High Court upholds central auto pollution norms

This should come as a relief to vehicle owners in the city. Rule115 stipulates emission standard of the vehicles.

On February 10, 2004, the central government had modified Rule 115. The court directed oil companies to supply proper proper fuels to filling stations complying with Rule 115 norms.

During the hearing a USA based company C & L Engineers Pvt Ltd said negotiations were on relating to supply of CNG from Tripura to Kolkata. The bench said the state government should take steps to ensure the city received CNG in view of this.

The court also recorded the statement of state advocate general Balai Ray that the government would purchase 770 buses complying with Bharat Stage 2 norms.

The court expressed unhappiness regarding functioning of the state government in carrying out the court's order. The state transport department neglected in constituting auto emission testing centres.

The central government had expressed its inability to supply CNG to Kolkata as it would need a new pipeline and was unviable. The court directed the state government to ensure emission testing centres were well equipped and functioning properly.