Transport Dept mulling ban on operation of petrol-diesel auto rickshaws & Vikrams in Doon & Rishikesh

Saturday, 29 October 2022 | PNS | DEHRADUN

Drivers first seek basic facilities to run CNG vehicles before ban

The Transport department is expected to make decisions on banning the operation of auto rickshaws and Vikrams that run on petrol and diesel in Dehradun and Rishikesh in the meeting of the regional transport authority (RTA) slated to be held on November 1. The department is expected to make several crucial decisions in the RTA meeting of the Garhwal division which is being held after three years. A proposal to restrict or completely ban the operation of petrol and diesel based auto rickshaws and Vikrams in 2023 is expected to be tabled in the meeting considering increased air pollution in Rishikesh and Dehradun. The officials from Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board (UEPPCB) have also been part of the proposal to minimise the level of air pollution in these cities. The regional transport officer (administration) of Dehradun and secretary of RTA, Dinesh Chandra Pathoi informed that operation of auto rickshaws and Vikrams that run on petrol or diesel must be banned in Dehradun and Rishikesh by March, 2023 as per the directions of National Green Tribunal (NGT). The Transport department has been working on a plan to minimise the air pollution through these vehicles along with the UEPPCB officials in the next five months. He said that though the RTA members will discuss this matter on November 1, the department is considering providing benefits like subsidies to Vikram and auto rickshaw drivers who would operate CNG fuelled three-wheeler vehicles. The RTA will also take decisions on the local transportation of Haridwar and Roorkee but Pathoi said that only Rishikesh and Dehradun will be prioritised to take final decision on operation of auto rickshaws and Vikrams. The Vikram and auto rickshaw operators said on the issue that they are ready to run the CNG-fuelled three-wheelers but the government should first work on providing necessary basic facilities in both cities. “The number of CNG stations is negligent in Dehradun. A few people who run CNG vehicles have to struggle to find CNG stations here. A commercial vehicle requires a regular supply of fuel to operate which cannot be done here with CNG vehicles considering the current situation here,” stated Rajendra Kumar, the president of Vikram Jankalyan Sewa Samiti. He said that they want the department to work on providing facilities regarding the operation of CNG vehicles before considering banning the operation of local public transport that provides employment to hundreds of people.