The Asian Age

Diesel vehicles of oil firms to be BS- 4, says NGT

◗ The green panel’s order came after the oil companies told the tribunal that they do not possess any diesel vehicle which was more than 10- years- old for transporti­ng petroleum products

- AGE CORRESPOND­ENT

In a major relief to public sector oil companies, the National Green Tribunal ( NGT) has allowed registrati­on of new diesel vehicles conforming to BS- 4 norms to be used for transporti­ng petrol or petroleum products.

A bench headed by acting chairperso­n justice U. D. Salvi directed the commission­er of transport department to register the vehicles, subject to certain conditions.

The order came after the oil companies told the tribunal that they do not possess any diesel vehicle which was more than 10years- old for transporti­ng petroleum products.

The bench further said “The new vehicles that are sought to be registered now should be BS- 4 compliant. The applicants shall file an affidavit before the green panel as well as before the Road Transport Officer ( RTO) that they do not possess or engage any diesel vehicle/ truck, which is more than 10 years old for the purpose of transporti­ng fuel granted by oil companies… It also directed to furnish details of the other vehicles owned by this applicant in the form of affidavit. The said vehicle should be duly maintained and used only for exclusive purpose of carrying petroleum products and no other use.”

The green panel also told the department to “dismantle” old vehicles which are over 10 years of age and ordered new vehicles be fitted with Global Positionin­g Systems ( GPS).

The direction came on a plea filed by oil companies contending that the NGT had banned the registrati­on of new diesel vehicles as well as re- registrati­on of such vehicles after 10 years.

Later, the Supreme Court had also banned the registrati­on of dieselrun sorts utility cars ( SUVs) and cars with a capacity beyond 2000cc in Delhi- NCR region.

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