Despite SC order diesel buses still running at Delhi Airport

New Delhi, June 27 (UNI) Despite the Supreme Court order that no vehicle operator or agency will ply diesel-run commercial vehicle in the national capital beyond March 31, 2002, diesel buses are still running at the city's airport.

Majority of tarmac coaches and similar vehicles operating at the Delhi Airport were running on diesel, an Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training statement alleged and claimed that the regulatory and controlling government Agency at the airport, Airport Authority of India, had remained oblivious of its duty since March 2002 to direct all airlines and bus operators to convert/ replace their buses to CNG fuel mode.

In November 2005, AAI belatedly asked various airlines that the airport entry of non-CNG coaches would be totally stopped from February 15, 2006, it stated.

However, IFTRT found that instead of removing eight to ten year old diesel coaches from the operational area of the airport, new diesel-run buses were being employed by various airlines instead of moving to CNG-run vehicles, it said further.

''No doubt some transport operators have introduced CNG buses and withdrawn diesel-run buses. But almost 70 to 80 per cent of the bus fleet at the airport continue to run on diesel in contravention of apex court order.'' Even diesel-run buses with All India Tourist Permit were operating with impunity within the Delhi Airport complex, it added.

IFTRT urged the union Civil Aviation Ministry, Environmental Prevention and Control Authority under Union Ministry of Environment, Delhi Government and other agencies concerned to intervene and strictly enforce the Court order on operation of CNG run buses in the city, including the Delhi Airport.

How could there be different yardsticks for private bus operators in the capital and its airport, our face to the entire world, it said and the very important agenda of the government to make the air clean from vehicular pollutants had been defeated by the callous attitude of the authorities.

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