Ptrol-run autos to convert LPG-run by January next

Chennai, May 19 (UNI) All the petrol-run autos in the city would be converted to LPG driven vehicles by January next, Tamil Nadu Transport Commissioner Chandra Prakash Singh said today.

Talking to reporters here, he said the move was aimed at improving the air quality and to prevent pollution, in line with the Suoreme Court directive.

Henceforth, the state government would not issue new permits for autorickshaws running on petrol and diesel in Chennai, he said.

He said there were about 34,000 petrol-run autos in the city and all of them would be converted into LPG mode in seven phases ending January 31 next year.

''The department held consultations with various autodrivers unions on the implementation of LPG-run autos'', he added.

The government would give a subsidy of Rs 2000 each for autos to be converted into LPG mode. At present there were 23 gas dispensing centres in the city that serve as LPG refuelling bunks and this would be increased as per the demand.

Mr Singh said the government had also decided to issue identity cards for auto and taxi drivers in the city, about 45,000 auto and taxi drivers would be given ID cards free of cost.

He also warned that from May 21, the Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) would take action against those autodrivers failing to recaliberate the electronic meters.

On compulsory helmet-wearing, he said the Transport Department had already written to all two-wheeler manufacturers and dealers making sale of helmets mandatory along with the sale of vehicle.

UNI