The absence of adequate number of LPG refill stations in Chandigarh has forced the UT administration to defer its decision of phasing out the diesel-run autorickshaws from April 1. Already having issued permits to 2,100 autorickshaws in Chandigarh, the state transport authority (STA) now has decided to advance the date of phasing out diesel-run autorickshaws till May 1. According to the STA officials the decision to phase out diesel-run autorickshaws in Chandigarh had been postponed till May. The decision has been taken in wake of the delay in functioning of the third LPG refill station in Chandigarh. It is noteworthy that Chandigarh has only two LPG stations and they are by far inadequate to cater to the demand.
Earlier also the Chandigarh administration had decided to phase out diesel autorickshaws by September 2009. However, the implementation was postponed till March 31.
The joint action committee representing members of autorickshaw drivers/owners from Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula have already filed a case against the Chandigarh administration’s decision to phase out diesel-run autorickshaws.
