Manali: Manali Hoteliers Association (MHA) has opposed the National Green Tribunal’s directive to the state government for only plying CNG buses on the Manali – Rohtang Pass highway on the grounds that they emit harmful cancer causing nano carbon particles.
Citing the findings of a study done by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Anup Ram Thakur, president MHA said, “We are opposed to plying of CNG buses on the Manali-Rohtang Pass route as they ‘emit harmful nano carbon particles that cause cancer.’
Seeking the government intervention, Thakur said, “the government should file a review petition before NGT.
The government should bring the concern to the notice of NGT and ask it to reconsider its order regarding plying of CNG buses, he said.
He added “If CNG buses emit harmful nano carbon particles, we oppose plying of such buses here.” The president informed that that the association had written to the chief minister and had sent findings of the CSIR study that has pointed out the harmful aspects of using CNG buses.
Green Tribunal nod for plying of CNG buses to Rohtang Pass
For containing vehicular pollution in the eco-sensitive region of Rohtang Pass, the National Green Tribunal has approved plying of CNG buses on the 51-Km long Manali-Rohtang route.
The Tribunal’s nod to run CNG buses came after Himachal Pradesh government told a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar that the trial run has been successful and the state has planned to introduce CNG buses for regular operation from Vashist to Rohtang pass.
“We direct Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to provide the available number of buses to the state of Himachal Pradesh demanded by the Secretary, Transport immediately.”
“In fact the buses which have been sent on trial could be provided forthwith. These buses would be operated by state government for the remaining of the current tourism season,” the bench said, adding “state shall also place order for buying CNG buses, which are luxury buses with high-power engine.”
The state government on July 23 had completed the second and final trial run of CNG bus on 51-km long Manali-Rohtang highway in the presence of NGT deputy registrar, Himachal Road Transport Corporation regional manager and officials from Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL).
The Tribunal also granted the Himachal Pradesh government time till September 17 to file a status report on the steps taken by it to control “unregulated and unplanned” tourism in the state.
“In order to provide another opportunity to the State Government to show its bonafides and actual implementation of the direction passed by the Tribunal, the State Government may file status report of the steps taken by them from July, 2015 to September, 2015, three days in advance to the next date of hearing already fixed at Shimla on September 17, 2015,” the bench said.
Sanjay Dutta, an engineer by qualification but is a journalist by choice.
He has worked for the premier new agency Press Trust of India and leading English daily Indian Express.
With more than a decade of experience, he has been highlighting issues related to environment, tourism and other aspects affecting mountain ecology.
Sanjay Dutta lives in a village close to Manali in Kullu valley of Himachal.
