Calcutta High Court upholds central auto pollution norms

The Calcutta High Court modified its own order regarding conversion of engines of vehicles to conform to Bharat Stage 2 within April 2 2004, with the bench of Chief Justice AK Mathur and Justice A K Banerjee stating, "All vehicles in the state of West Bengal must comply with the norms of Rule 115 of Central Government Motor Vehicles Rule 1989 till September 30, 2004, and from October 1, 2004, the vehicles should comply with norms provided in the modified Rule 115".

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.