Bengal govt in talks with Reliance for CNG: Bhattacharjee

Kolkata, Feb 6(UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today said the state government is in talks with Reliance Industries to introduce CNG through a gas pipeline from Andhra Pradesh through Orissa.

Speaking at a programme organised by the Pollution Control Board, the chief minister said, ''We can reduce automobile pollution if we introduce CNG in the city. Mumbai and Delhi have already introduced it long back. But we are unable to do so.'' ''We are discussing the matter with Reliance Industries and have requested them to bring a gas pipeline from Andhra Pradesh through Orissa to Bengal,'' he said adding there is immediate need to reduce automobile pollution.

Talking about various steps taken by the state government to stop pollution, Mr Bhattacharjee said,''We need to contain industrial pollution. The Pollution Control Board has created a device to stop pollution in the sponge iron industry.'' Medical wastes should be properly destroyed and the government has set up a facility in Howrah for this, the Chief Minister said adding the pollution created due to real estate should also be stopped.

''We have asked the Environment and Forests Department to restrict illegal cutting of trees and increase social forestry. Currently in Bengal there is 13 per cent forest area which should be increased to 18 per cent, which is the global standard,'' he said.

Global warming is posing threat to the world and nature is sure to take vengeance if proper steps are not taken, he said adding industrialisation should be done keeping in mind environmental norms.

UNI