*No checking of traffic rules violations in rural areas
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, July 5: There is no check on the pollutants being emitted every day by huge number of commercial vehicles due to adulteration in fuel despite the fact that such type of automobiles are contributing enormously to air pollution in Jammu and Kashmir. This situation is prevailing due to non-serious approach of the Transport Department authorities, Pollution Checking Centers and Traffic Police.
Majority of the commercial vehicles operating in the length and breadth of Jammu and Kashmir are contributing to the air pollution by resorting to adulteration of fuel but this illegal act has largely remained unchecked not only in rural areas but in urban parts of the State also.
Notwithstanding the refusal from all the concerned agencies, this was also established during the recent on -spot checking of vehicles done by the Regional Director of Pollution Control Board in the presence of the Member of Legislative Assembly from R S Pura and member of Committee on Environment of the State Legislature, Dr Gagan Bhagat.
The result of on the spot inspection in R S Pura belt was astonishing as the 100% adulterated fuel was found to be used by the vehicles plying in the area. However, the Traffic Department shifted the onus on the oil companies and Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department by stating that checking of fuel was primarily their duty and not that of cops in blue uniform.
Despite generating enormous pollutants, the operators of majority of the commercial vehicles are in the possession of certificates issued by the Pollution Checking Centres mentioning that the pollution being generated by such vehicles is within the permissible limit. This is mainly because the Pollution Checking Centers issue certificates without conducting thorough inspection of vehicles.
The Committee on Environment, in its latest report, has observed that Pollution Checking Centres outsourced by the Government were not functioning effectively and have failed to yield the required results owing to shortage of manpower/infrastructure.
There were total 89 (38 in Jammu and 51 in Kashmir) such centers established. However, their functioning was not found to be satisfactory owing to lack of machines/gadgets with the result the purpose for which they were established was defeated. In fact, some of these centers were sealed on that account.
The Committee has observed that Transport Department has to play a major role in combating the vehicular pollution. It has the mandate to oversee a number of factors responsible for generating automobile exhaust and initiate appropriate steps in this regard to ensure a pollution free environment in the State. But it has failed to fulfill this mandate.
“Though the measures were initiated by the department to provide CNG/LPG as an alternate fuel but the proposal could not materialize due to certain reasons”, the House Panel said, adding “though the State of J&K was still not in an alarming zone but the measures are required to be initiated to handle the situation before it gets worsened”.
Though the Committee had recommended as many as 100 Pollution Checking Centers at least 5 each in every district of the State within a period of two months besides directing the department to monitor the functioning of the existing Pollution Checking Centers yet the concerned authorities have failed to initiate necessary steps till date despite the fact that two months time-frame was set-up in this regard in the month of December last year.
The Committee has suggested that the age of vehicles to be on road be lessened from 25 to 20 years as has been done in many States of the country. “The Transport Department should move an application through its Standing Counsel before the High Court with the prayer to revisit the order regarding age of vehicles on the roads to ensure pollution free environment in the State”, the House Panel said.
It has also observed that the quantum of fine being imposed upon the violators under Motor Vehicles Act is very nominal and not serving as a deterrent upon the offenders. It has suggested that the Transport Department should bring an amendment to enhance the amount of fine in the Motor Vehicle Act.
The Committee on Environment has also pointed out that no checking of commercial vehicles is being conducted in the rural areas with the result the traffic violations are getting unnoticed.
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