Punjab pollution board bans registration of diesel, petrol auto-rickshaws in 5 dists

PATIALA : With auto-rickshaws emerging as the major cause of pollution, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has banned the registration of diesel and petrol run auto-rickshaws in five districts — Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Mohali and Fatehgarh Sahib — from February 1.

“No auto-rickshaw, driven by diesel/ petrol, shall be registered in Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Mohali and Fatehgarh Sahib districts with effect from February 1,” reads the order from PPCB chairman, SS Marwaha.

The order, under section 31-A of the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, was passed after hearing objections and suggestions from all stakeholders.

Ludhiana alone has more than 1 lakh auto-rickshaws, with most of them polluting. After a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the Punjab and Haryana high court had stopped the registration of auto rickshaws in the areas under the jurisdiction of Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar and Patiala.

However, the owners started to get their auto-rickshaws registered in rural areas and plying in the city. Others also started registering their auto-rickshaws under the category of taxi/maxi cabs.

The PPCB order now includes other districts as well.

“We want to minimise air pollution in the major cities in these districts. We are encouraging e-rickshaws, and CNG-run autos. The state transport department must also stop plying of auto-rickshaws older than 15 years in the state. There are nearly 30,000 such autos, a small number, in the state,” said an official, adding

Meanwhile, Auto-Rickshaw Union leader, Varinder said, “The PPCB has taken a unilateral decision. There is no CNG and LPG pump in Patiala city. There are no charging points in Patiala for electronic rickshaws. Before imposing such a ban, the PPCB should create infrastructure and refueling facilities.”

Gurjodh Singh, of Urban Estate, Patiala, said, “The PPCB has taken the right step. Instead of allowing more auto-rickshaws, the state government should start a local government-owned transport system in cities.”