In a step aimed at minimising pollution in the eco-sensitive area of Rohtang pass, the National Green Tribunal today cleared the decks for plying of CNG buses on 51-km long Manali-Rohtang highway.
The Tribunal's nod to run CNG buses came after Himachal Pradesh government told a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar that trial run has been successful and the state has planned to introduce CNG buses for regular operation from Vashist to Rohtang pass.
"We direct Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to provide the available number of buses to the state of Himachal Pradesh demanded by the Secretary, Transport immediately.
"In fact the buses which have been sent on trial could be provided forthwith. These buses would be operated by state government for the remaining of the current tourism season," the bench said, adding "state shall also place order for buying CNG buses, which are luxury buses with high-power engine".
The state government on July 23 had completed the second and final trial run of CNG bus on 51-km long Manali-Rohtang highway in the presence of NGT deputy registrar, Himachal Road Transport Corporation regional manager and officials from Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL).
The Tribunal also granted the Himachal Pradesh government time till September 17 to file a status report on the steps taken by it to control "unregulated and unplanned" tourism in the state.
"In order to provide another opportunity to the State Government to show its bonafides and actual implementation of the direction passed by the Tribunal, the State Government may file status report of the steps taken by them from July, 2015 to September, 2015, three days in advance to the next date of hearing already fixed at Shimla i.E on September 17, 2015," the bench said.
