 |
|
 |
Time to bow out, Mr Ram Naik by Hari Jaisingh |
|
The entire nation has been
watching with dismay and disgust the naked show of political games of favouritism,
nepotism and shdy practices of the Union Petroleum Ministry headed by Mr Ram Naik. Equally
disquieting has been the obvious insensitivity of the powers- that-be to the startling
disclosure of allotment of petrol pumps and gas agencies to his partymen, loyal
functionaries and power sharing co-brothers.Apparently, at play is big money on the part
of unscrupulous persons and petroleum companies in connivance with those in authority who
are supposed to set things right for the public good.The observation by the Centre for
Science and Environment on how intelligently adulteration of petrol and diesel is done to
reap lucrative profits at the cost of users is nothing but a national shame.
The Tribune, New Delhi, 11th August, 2002 |
|
|
Adulterated diesel supply up due to drought |
|
With several states reeling under drought and
farmers resorting to increased use of diesel for irrigation purposes, there is a spurt in
adulteration of the popular fuel. According to the Centre for Science and Environment
(CSE), diesel retail outlets indulge in intelligent adulteration, making it almost
impossible to detect it. For instance the CSE had undertaken an independent inspection of
fuel adulteration in Delhi a few months ago. It reported that the government owned fuel
testing laboratory in New Delhi gave a clean chit to decoy diesel samples that CSE
deliberately contaminated with 10 to 20 per cent kerosene to check if the lab would catch
it.
The Tribune, New Delhi, 10th August, 2002 |
|
|
No rains to clean muck in air, SPM levels rise |
|
The increasing prices of vegetables aren't the
only thing affecting Delhiites as a result of delayed rains. The pollution levels in the
city have showing an alarming rise because the rains, whict act as the biggest cleanser of
the air, are playing truant.Monitoring done by the Central Pollution Control Board(CPCB)
at the ITO intersection show that the levels of Suspended Particulate Matter(SPM) - a key
pollutant - have reached alarming levels in the past few days.Says Sunita Narain,
director, Centre for Science and Environment:"Studies over the Indian Ocean show that
there is a huge cloud of dust hanging in the air and that could be disturbing the weather
systems causing decrease in rainfall."
The Indian Express, New Delhi, 30th July, 2002 |
|
|
Safety norms row leaves many fuming |
|
The Supreme Court's stand that retrofited
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses should be meet the latest safety norms, has led to all
parties involved pointing fingers at each other.The first draft of safety norms for CNG
vehicles were notified on February 9, 2000. However, CNG buses conforming to these norms
started plying only from April 2001.Revised safety norms were notified on November 19,
2001.It was supposed to come into effect on May 18 this year, but the Union transport
ministry deferred the implementation of the new norms for conversion firms by six
months."How can the government allow the proliferation of CNG buses without metting
the revised safety norms?" said Centre for Science and Environment director Sunita
Narain.
The Times of India, New Delhi, 30th July, 2002 |
|
|
Ban on heavy vehicles can reduce pollution by 55% |
|
Banning vehciles that do not adhere to Euro II
norms is a proposition promising enough. Research shows that prohibiting these vehicles
from plying can lead to a 55 per cent cut in the pollution level.According to a study
carried out by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), if the 65,000 non-Euro II-
compliant trucks and goods vehicles are removed from the Capital's roads, the emission
level would drop from 1,700 tonnes to 800 tonnes, a reduction of nearly 55 per cent.
The Tribune, New Delhi, 22nd July, 2002 |
|
|
13th CNG bus on fire, no norms yet |
|
With another CNG bus catching fire today (13th
within a year) the need for implementing safety norms has once again emerged."A
recent evaluation of safety-related engineering isues doen by international experts in
Delhi and commissioned by us, shows that there are serious lapses and compromises in
safety features, mainly in converted buses, which are going undetected due to lack of
inspection," said Sunita Narain of the Centre for Science and Environment.
The Indian Express, New Delhi, 18th July, 2002 |
|
|
Ban on polluters lauded |
|
The combined move to barring entry of polluting
trucks and other goods vehicles, allowing entry only to Euro II compliant vehicles, and
mandating only Euro II compliant city fleet will reduce total particulate matter emissions
from all vehicles in Delhi by nearly 25 per cent and provide the citizens cleaner air to
breathe in.Lauding the July 15 directives of the Supreme Court on trucks and goods
vehicles plying in Delhi, the Centre for Science and Environment has stated that nearly
65,000 trucks and other goods vehicles will be barred from entering Delhi after the court
order is enforced.
The HIndu, New Delhi, 17th July, 2002 |
|
|
Without rain, pollutants stay put over city |
|
According to data available with the Central
Pollution Control Board (CPCB), levels of respiratory suspended particulate matter (RSPM)
in the city have been on the rise since the beginning of the month and the culprit
according to them is the rains. "The quantity of particulate matter in the atmosphere
is related to weather conditions. It is so hot and still that the pollutants just don't
move," explains Sunita Narain of the Centre for Science and Environment.
Indian Express, New Delhi, 17th July, 2002 |
|
|
If trucks go Euro II, Delhi can take off masks |
|
The apex court's order banning trucks which
don't follow Euro II norms from entering Delhi will create more than just a breath of
fresh air. If all trucks plying in Delhi switch to Euro II, particulate matter emissions
will go down by almost 75 per cent by 2015 and 17 per cent by 2003, says the Centre for
Science and Environment.
The Indian Express, New Delhi, 16th July, 2002 |
|
|
Govt. to change gears in anti-pollution drive |
|
Disturbed by recent allegations that some
ill-quipped Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) issuing centres across the Capital
are making a mocjery of the whole anti-pollution drive, the Delhi Government is all set to
introduce an altogether new regime. Talking to The Hindu, the Delhi Transport Minister,
Ajay Maken, said the Government had held several rounds of discussions with the Centre for
Science and Environment in order to update itself on the latest requirements in an
endeavour to reduce pollution originating from vehicles.
The Hindu, New Delhi, 9th July, 2002 |
|
|
Pollution still not under control |
|
If you thought that your duty as an
environmentally sensitive citizen ended with pasting a Pollution Under Control (PUC)
certificate on your car, think again. Your vehicle is still emitting gaseous exhausts
which affect the environment, but which are not checked when you are granted the PUC
certificate. "The existing norms are extremely las as harmful elements -including
hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter - are not taken into account, says
chief of Centre of Science and Environment's air pollution unit Anumita Roy Chaudhary.
The Pioneer, New Delhi, 9th July, 2002 |
|
|
Delhi still gets deadly diesel dose |
|
Some 60,000 trucks trundle throough Delhi every
day.They are poorly maintained, run on high sulphur diesel and are the cause of air
pollution."The trucks use diesel with 2,500 ppm (particles per million) sulphur. This
means the sulphur content is five times more than the 500 ppm diesel we use here,"
says Sunita Narain, director of Centre for Science and Environment(CSE).
The Times of India, New Delhi, 5th July, 2002 |
|
|
PUC checks based on wrong premise |
|
As thousands of vehicles in the city line up
for pollution checks, experts say that the entire anti-pollution drive may not bring down
pollution levels.A vehicle test while taking a Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
can still be brazenly polluting.Centre for Science and Environment director Sunita Narain
says:"The Society for Indian Automobile Manufacturers has sold this idea of
installing these snazzy equipment which take the photograph of the number plate to the
government.They are trying to shift the onus from the manufacturers to the consumers. They
should have focused on is tightening emission norms and finalising the testing
procedure."
The Indian Express, New Delhi, 03rdJuly, 2002 |
|
|
Centre to tighten emission norms |
|
The Union Ministry for road transport and
highways has okayed the environment ministry's proposal to raise the standards for
checking vehicular emission.The new norms are likely to be notified soon. This moves comes
close on the heels of the Delhi state government's drive to scrutinise pollution under
control (PUC) certificates, scheduled to begin from July 1."The existing emission
analysers need not be upgraded for measuring the hydro-carbons," said Lopamudra
Banerjee, researcher with air pollution control unit of Centre for Science and
Environment.
The Times of India, New Delhi, 27th June, 2002 |
|
|
IGL gets ready for competition from LPG |
|
Emboldened by the increased allocation of
natural gas, Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL), sole supplier of compressed natural gas (CNG)
and piped natural gas (PNG), is gearing up to face competition from liquefied petroleum
gas(LPG).Centre for Science and Environment director Sunita Narain says: "It makes
sense for IGL to use its infrastructure to the hilt and the increased gas allocated for
the transport sector."
The Times of India, New Delhi, 24th June, 2002 |
|
|
100% pure fuel in Capital to be a reality soon |
|
By the end of the year, 40 petrol pumps in the
National Capital region of Delhi will probably supply "100 per cent"
adulteration-free fuel.Although, the Capital boasts of minimal levels of adulteration as
compared to other cities, the Centre for Science and Environment had in a communication to
the Government called for "strict vigilance."
The Pioneer, New Delhi, 21st June, 2002 |
|
|
Delhi stirs fuel options, look hard at LPG |
|
Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) may well be
notified as a clean fuel for vehicles in Delhi. The state government is working out a plan
to set up more filling stations to promote the green fuel.Several private companies,
including oil major Reliance Petrochemicals, have approached the state transport ministry
for permission to supply and dispense LPG for the transport sector. Centre for Science and
Environment director Sunita Narain says: "LPG is definitely a cleaner fuel than CNG.
But it's difficult to handle."
The Times of India, New Delhi, 19th June, 2002 |
|
|
Pollution checking centres to be improved |
|
With defaulting vehicles told to get a
Pollution Under Control certificate by 30 June, it is a busy time at several PUCC centres
dotted all over the city. But, with the system itself in shambles, it requires a major
overhaul to bring it out of its comatose state.Recently, the Delhi government had asked
the Centre for Science and Environment to suggest ways "as to how its PUCC centres
can be improved".
The Statesman, New Delhi, 9th June, 2002 |
|
 |
Environment is no luxury but survival |
|
Director of Centre for Science and Environment
(CSE) Ms Sunita Narain today said environmental is not a luxury but a matter of survival
in India. Presenting her key note address in a function organized by People's Empowerment
Mission in collaboration with UNESCO and CSE in Srinagar to mark the World Environment
Day, Ms. Narain said environment sustainability is a key to the economic growth of the
country.
The Kashmir Times, Jammu, 7th June, 2002 |
|
|
Delhi's pace on CNG road is record-setting: Experts |
|
Experts are back to assess the situation and
review the safety issues regarding CNG and chalk out a framework of standards and
inspection systems. And their judgment is mildly heartening. About a year back, the Centre
for Science and Environment (CSE) had brought out a status report on the implementation of
CNG conversion with the help of international experts in the field.
The Indian Express, New Delhi, 7th June, 2002 |
|
|
City has greatest number of CNG buses in world |
|
Delhi has 5,500 CNG buses, making the city the
only in the world with such a large number of CNG buses, claimed experts at the Centre for
Science and Environment.The Delhi transport ministry plans to add 1,000 more buses to the
fleet in view of the Supreme Court ruling ordering conversion of all public transport to
CNG.
The Asian Age, New Delhi, 7th June, 2002 |
|
|
Stress on safety of CNG vehicles |
|
A panel of the Centre for Science and
Environment has recommended tighter supervision and checks and balances to improve the
safety of compressed natural gas (CNG) transport vehicles in the capital.The CSE panel has
urged the government to create an independent safety office within the Delhi Transport
Ministry to carry out 'root cause' evaluation of accidents and hazardous
conditions."This office should diagnose the problems, define solutions, and follow up
to ensure that these solutions are put in place," the CSE panel study said.
Business Line, New Delhi, 7th June, 2002 |
|
|
Policy-makers immune to high vehicular pollution |
|
Environmentalists seem more conscious and
concerned about vehicular pollution in the Capital than policy makers. Though vehicular
pollution contributes 70 per cent of the ambient air pollution, government mechanism to
check emission appears to be defunct.The over 100 pollution control officers do not check
vehicular pollution.Sunita Narain of Centre for Science and Environment says that banning
15-year-old two-wheelers will not suffice."We will have to work on the use of
two-stroke petrol engines. he catalytic convertors installed in two-stroke engines have a
life of two years. But after two years no one cares to replace the convertor.The
government should evolve a system to ensure that the convertors are replaced."
Hindustan Times, New Delhi, 3rd June, 2002 |
|
|
LPG may be the answer for fuel - thirstry Delhi |
|
LPG has become 'the' alternative fuel for
private vehicles.The reason lies not just in their economical advantage over conventional
fuel, but also in its relatively "loose" legal status."There is still no
detailed rules on the subject of conversion of kits. There have to be standards on each
component from the fuel tank to the engine constituent, which there are none," said
Centre for Science and Environment's Ms Lopamudra Banerjee.
The Statesman, New Delhi, 2nd June, 2002 |
|
|
CNG pipeline faces Defence bulwark |
|
Indraprastha Gas Limited is finding it
difficult to reduce queues of vehicles at its compressed natural gas filling stations
across the Capital since work on its main feeder line has been stalled in West Delhi
because the Defence authorities have not yet given their formal approval.
The Hindu, New Delhi, 31st May, 2002 |
|
|
Metro loco emission to be lower than Euro II norms |
|
The capital-based metro railways corporation
has issued first of its locomotive orders to Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited. The choice
evidently zeroed in on the engineering mega-house after scrutiny among many other
international contenders for the supply of the locos. These locos will have extremely low
emission levels, lower even than Euro II norms. And that makes the company proud. The
locos will not be immersed in conventional oil, will have deck-type design, flexible to
mount various equipment and stage-air filtration .
The Times of India, New Delhi, 31st May, 2002 |
|
|
Blended auto fuel |
|
A government decision to encourage the use of
ethanol as a blending agent with gasoline made some months ago has a number of positive
implications still. Its implementation has acquired a certain sense of urgency. Oil prices
are on the rise globally. There is a serious talk of building up an oil reserve,
The Hindu, New Delhi, 30th May, 2002 |
|
|
DTC re-structuring panel set up |
|
The Delhi Cabinet on Monday formed a core
committee for internal restructuring of the Delhi Transport Corporation and also approved
purchase of 1,000 CNG buses for DTC. It has also been decided to allow private parties,
having at least 50 CNG buses, to ply on selected routes at a predecided fare. DTC will
invite expressions of interest from the private companies having at least 50 CNG buses.
The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, 28th May, 2002 |
|
|
Govt's nod for 1000 CNG buses for DTC |
|
After a month's delay, the Delhi state
government has decided to place orders for 1000 new compressed natural gas (CNG) buses for
Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC). On 27th May, the Delhi state cabinet endorsed the DTC's
proposal for 1000 new CNG buses.
The Times of India, New Delhi, 28th May, 2002 |
|
|
Seminar on use of CNG as automotive fuel |
|
The Assam State Centre of the Institution of
Engineers (India), is organising an all-India seminar on 'application of compressed
natural gas (CNG) as an automotive fuel' on May 31 at its premises in Panbazar in
Guwahati. The seminar is being organised to identify and explore the performance
characteristics and emission standards of engines run on CNG to appreciate its role as an
alternative clean fuel in the light of feedback received from users and producers of
CNG.
The Assam Tribune, Guwahati, 24th May, 2002 |
|
|
CNG crisis will ease in 2004: Naik |
|
CNG supply for the Capital's transport sector
will improve substantially in January 2004, when the LNG terminal, being set up LNG
Petronet at Dahej in Gujarat will commence functioning in December, 2003, Petroleum
Minister Ram said today. He said the LNG terminal, having the capacity to handle five
million tonnes per annum LNG a year, will also meet the demand of the industry.
The Indian Express, New Delhi, 25th May, 2002 |
|
|
HPCL all set to retail auto LPG in city |
|
After much dilly-dallying, the government has
finally cleared LPG for use as auto fuel. State-owned Hindustan Petroleum Corporation
Ltd.(HPCL) will be retailing LPG at a price of Rs 15.50 per litre in Mumbai and Rs 17.10
per litre in Delhi. However the price is based on import price parity applicable for the
current month with no subsidy element as in domestic gas. The conversion kit is priced at
Rs 23,000 for carburator cars, while it is Rs 14,000 for autorickshaws.
The Indian Express, Mumbai, 24th May, 2002 |
|
|
Saathi puts spokes in CNG bus purchase |
|
The proposed purchase of 1,000 new CNG buses by
the Delhi Transport Corporation has run into rough weather following objections raised by
the Finance Department. the Department has taken a serious note of DTC's failure to spell
out a clear cut strategy on utilisation of the new fleet and specify if adequate trained
staff was available to run these new buses. The issue had come up for discussion at a
meeting taken by Finance Minister, Mahinder Singh Saathi on Wednesday. It is understood
that Mr. Saathi conveyed his displeasure on the failure of the DTC to come out with a
strategy paper despite the fact that the priorities in this regard had been spelt out in
the budget and subsequently mentioned in various meetings.
The Hindu, New Delhi, 24th May, 2002 |
|
|
Small-size CNG kits cause for long queues |
|
One of the reasons for the long queues of
auto-rickshaws is the small size of CNG kits, which have limited the amount of gas taken
during refills. This was stated in a CNG filling station management report, commissioned
by the sole CNG supplier, Indraprastha Gas Limited.
The Statesman, New Delhi, 24th May, 2002 |
|
|
CPCB seeks police help on leaf burning |
|
Despite a notification from the Delhi
Lt-governor's office banning burning of dry leaves, the Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD)
has been unable to curb the practice.And since the practice persists in almost every
locality, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has written to Delhi Police
commissioner, seeking police help in enforcing tghe ban.The practice is so pervasive that
every neighbourhood suffers from it. Anumita Roychowdhury of the Centre for Science and
Environment (CSE) said although there is little research on the relative contribution of
various sources of pollution, domestic waste - which includes dry leaves - is said to be
about 6 to 7 per cent of pollution.
The Times of India, New Delhi, 23rd May, 2002 |
|
|
Mahindra & Mahindra mulls eco-friendly vehicles
division |
|
Mahinra & Mahindra (M&M) is currently
working out the modalities for the setting up of an alternative technologies division. The
division will focus on eco-friendly vehicles and solar energy projects. The setting up of
this division follows the amalgamation of its subsidiary Mahindra Alternative Technologies
(MATL) with itself.
The Financial Express, New Delhi, 22nd May, 2002 |
|
|
5 lakh vehicles, high pollution: Govt. may opt for
CNG in city |
|
The Assam Transport Department appears to be
thinking of going for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative fuel in the city to
reduce the atmospheric pollution level. The move follows the Supreme Court's April 5,
2002, order directing State Governments to use CNG fuel instead of petroleum in cities
where the pollution level is high.
The Sentinel, Guwahati, 21st May, 2002 |
|
|
Delhi plans to restructure transport corp. |
|
The Delhi government is drawing up an ambitious
plan to restructure the state owned Delhi Transport Corporation, including dividing the
loss-making body into three corporations and leasing buses to private operators. The plan
includes creating separate corporations for interstate buses, the city fleet and
maintenance, Delhi transport minister Ajay Maken said.
Business Standard, New Delhi, 20th May, 2002 |
|
|
L-G approves fare hike |
|
The Delhi Lieutenant-Governor, Vijai Kapoor,
has finally approved Delhi cabinet's proposal for an 18 per cent hike in fares of buses,
autorickshaws and taxis, following a 38 per cent hike in the price of CNG.The notification
regarding the new fares is to be issued tomorrow by the Delhi Government, paving way for
transporters to legally charge the new fares.
The Hindu, New Delhi, 18th May, 2002 |
|
|
Naik refuses to roll back CNG price hike |
|
The Union Petroleum and Natural gas Minister,
Ram Naik, has turned down the request of the Delhi Chief minister, sheila Dikshit, for a
roll back in the price of CNG fuel, stating that the Indraprastha gas Limited was an
independent entity and not governed by his Ministry.
The Hindu, New Delhi, 17th May, 2002 |
|
|
CNG supply to Maruti to be cut |
|
To meet the current CNG requirement of public
transport in Delhi, 50 per cent of the supply to Maruti Udyog limited meant for captive
power generation has been cut, the Lok sabha was informed on Thursday. To meet further
requirement of CNG, supply to other industries may also be curtailed in due course.
The Asian Age, New Delhi, 17th May, 2002 |
|
|
Leyland resumes CNG chassis production at Alwar
plant |
|
Ashok Leyland Ltd. has assumed production of
CNG chassis at its Alwar plant after a gap of more than 100 days. The company stopped
producing CNG chassis after the inventory level crossed 1000 units in January 2002.
Business Standard, New Delhi, 17th May, 2002 |
|
|
Delhi Bank floats scheme for CNG bus |
|
The Delhi State Cooperative Bank has introduced
a new scheme financing CNG buses and also for conversion kits for diesel buses for
converting them into the CNG mode. Besides, the bank has also decided to open five new
branches in rural areas in the coming year for giving a fillip to the cooperative movement
in the capital. It was announced by Delhi ministers of development Haroon Yusuf at a press
conference on Wednesday.
The Asian Age, New Delhi, 16th May, 2002 |
|
|
DTC yet to place order for CNG buses after SC ruling |
|
Delhi government and private bus operators have
left no stone unturned in their attempt to display their sincerity towards CNG. They have
declared ad nauseum that they are committed to the cause of cleaner air in the Capital.
But they can't help it if CNG bus chassis is not unavailable.
The Indian Express, New Delhi, 14th May, 2002 |
|
|
Govt to get rid of two-stroke vehicles |
|
Transport Minister Ajay Maken, said that the
Delhi Government has taken a decision to get rid of two-stroke vehicle including auto
rickshaws as per the direction of Supreme Court.Speaking at a seminar 'City Governance for
Clean Air: Learning from each other in Asia', organised by Centre for Science and
Environment on Saturday.
The Pioneer, New Delhi, 13th may, 2002 |
|
|
Opinion divided over ban on 2-stroke autos |
|
A debate has started over the decision of the
Delhi Government to ban two-stroke CNG auto-rickshaws with the environmentalists unable to
say whether the decision is correct or not. Director, Centre for Science and Environment,
Sunita Narain said, "We are not against useof two-stroke engines running on CNG. The
problem is with 2-stroke engines running on CNG.The problem is with 2- stroke engines
running on petrol as they emit 35 per cent more pollution than any other tyep of
engine," she said.
Hindustan Times, New Delhi, 13th may, 2002 |
|
|
Ban two-stroke autos from plying: Maken |
|
Delhi Transport Minister Ajay Maken today said
that in order to ensure clean air in the Capital, two-stroke vehicles and autorickshaws
should be banned. Speaking at an environment seminar organised by the Centre for Science
and Environment, Maken supported the court's order that such polluting vehicles should not
be allowed to ply.
The Indian Express, New Delhi, 12th May, 2002 |
|
|
Wrangles delay LPG dispensing stations |
|
The road to facilitate the use of LPG as auto
fuel seems to be a long haul ahead with procedural wrangles taking their toll on the
setting up of dispensing stations. So, nearly five years after its popularisation in
Chennai city as an alternate and eco-friendly fuel option, use of LPG in automobiles
continues to be illegal.
The Hindu, Chennai, 12th May, 2002 |
|
|
Experts, ex-judges talk on environment laws |
|
Does India really have an effective enforcement
system to implement environment laws, or the environment laws are mere acts on paper? This
was the point of debate, that reverberated at the Indian Law Institute, where
environmentalists and legal experts came together at a seminar on "Court rulings on
environment" on Friday afternoon.The panellists included, director of the Indian Law
Institute S.K. Verma, retired Kerala high court judge T.L.V. Aiyer, CPCB chairman Dilip
Biswas and Chandrachur Ghosh from Centre for Science and Environment.
The Asian Age, New Delhi, 11th May, 2002 |
|
|
Bhure lal's probe easy, hike in CNG price unfair |
|
As the Bhure Lal Committee looks into the CNG
price hike, it will not have to work too hard to conclude that the hike is unjustified.The
Court also noted that the price of CNG could not be equated with diesel as the price
components are extractions, compression and transportaton that can not be equal to
refinery costs. Calculations by the Centre for Science and Environment show that IOC, BPCL
and HPCL will incur a loss of about Rs 7,000 crore by June end this year.
The Indian Express, New Delhi, 10th May, 2002 |
|
|
Private vehicles may get CNG |
|
Owners of private vehicles converted to run on
compressed natural gas (CNG) who are being denied supply, may soon get to step on the gas.
Those affected are the owners who got their registration certificates stamped after
January 6 to run their vehicles on dual fuel.
The Times of India, New Delhi, 8th May, 2002 |
|
|
Govt. hikes public transport fares, blames Centre
for it |
|
Delhi Cabinet today decided to hike public
transport fares by 17.83 per cent. Union Petroleum Minister Ram Naik said, "There was
no justification for the CNG fare hike effected by the Delhi Government. Since the price
of CNG is lower than that of diesel and the buses which earlier ran on diesel and later
switched to CNG mode, the cost of operating them should also come down.
The Indian Express, New Delhi, 7th May, 2002 |
|
|
Home decoration material too causes air pollution |
|
Every year over one million deaths are caused
in India by air pollution. Of these two-third are due to indoor air pollution, according
to the World Bank statistics.According to a study, IAQ problems cost American business
nearly $ 60 billion annually, most of it due to the result of loss in productivity.
However, in India, "there have been very few studies and nobody even talks about
it," rues Pranay from the Centre for Science and Environment(CSE).
Newstime, Hyderabad, 4th May, 2002 |
|
|
Fare panel to submit report on May 6 |
|
The three member committee set up by the Delhi
Cabinet to study and suggest a new fare structure for taxi, autorickshaw and buses in view
of the CNG price hike will now submit its report on May 6 thereby delaying the
announcement of a fare hike for few more days.
The Hindu, New Delhi, 4th May, 2002 |
|
|
CNG price hike is trick by Centre, claims CSE |
|
The Centre for Science and Environment has
lambasted the Indraprastha Gas Limited and the ministry of petroleum for the recent hike
in CNG prices saying that IGL has been making huge profits and had no urgent need to
increase prices.The CNG price hike on April 28, which has made diesel cheaper than it by
24 paise, has been termed by Centre for Science and Environment as a "devious tactic
by the Union government to sabotage the Supreme Court's earnest efforts to move towards
CNG."
The Asian Age, New Delhi, 30th April, 2002 |
|
|
Delhi seeks partial CNG price roll-back |
|
Even as the Government of NCT of Delhi and the
Centre slug it out over the economics and impact of fuel pricing and fare rationalisation,
the commuters find themselves in a lose-lose situation.With fewer buses plying on the
roads following the Supreme Court's orders, the spectre of a fare hike has come as a
double blow for them.The Centre for Science and Environment, campaigning for the clean
fuel, said:"With the hike in the CNG prices, the price difference between CNG and
diesel will narrow and this will reduce the economic incentive for the vehicle owners to
shift to this cleaner fuel."
The Tribune, Chandigarh, 29th April, 2002 |
|
|
CNG price hiked by 28.5%, fare hike next |
|
The monopoly supplier of Compressed Natural
Gas, IGL, today announced a 28.5 per cent hike in the price of gas, evoking a sharp
reaction from the Delhi Government, transporters, commuters and the environmentalists.The
Centre for Science and Environment,which has been campaigning for clean fuel,
said:"With the hike, the price difference between CNG and diesel will narrow and this
will reduce the economic incentive for vehicle owners to shift to a cleaner fuel."
The Tribune, Chandigarh, 28th April, 2002 |
|
|
Diesel drives CNG home |
|
Diesel may be the villain for the green
brigade. Tempos powered by the 'dirty' fuel, however, take CNG cylinders home to daughter
stations. Though Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) officials claim that their operation is
limited and does not affect pollution in the Capital, it reflects the authorities'
hyprocrisy.Sunita Narain of CSE said that while it is a little tricky for trucks, it is
not so for tempos. "Or they can buy new CNG tempos," she suggested.
The Indian Express, New Delhi, 28th April, 2002 |
|
|
Spotlight on alternative fuels |
|
A public awareness meeting on "CNG Crisis
in Delhi: Myths and Facts about Alternative Fuels" organised by Society for
Environmental Awareness, Rehabilitation of Child and Handicapped(SEARCH) on the occasion
of the 32nd International Earth Day recently called for formulation of an action plan for
effective use of the gas in the transport sector in the Capital.Head of the Clean Air
Campaign of Centre for Science and Environment, Anumita Roy Chaudhary, said the recent
Supreme Court order has not left any leeway in scuttling the implementation of the CNG
programme.
The Hindu, New Delhi, 27th April, 2002 |
|
|
High levels of pollution make Delhi an unhealthy
place to live |
|
Respirable suspended particulate matter(RSPM),
the deadliest pollutnat in the city's air, is almost three the permissible limits. And on
APril 19, the RSPM shot to 346 micrograms per cubic metre, more than three times ther
permissible limit of 100 for residential areas and 150 for industrial areas."RSPM
causes asthma and respiratory diseases and sustained exposure to it can cause lung
cancer,' said Anumita Roychowdhury, head of the clean air campaign of Centre for Science
and Environment.
The Times of India, New Delhi, 23rd April, 2002 |
|
|
CSE files complaint against e-mail |
|
Centre for Science and Environment(CSE) today
filed an FIR for misrepresentation and defamation of its stand on the CNG issue.
The Indian Express, New Delhi, 18th April, 2002 |
|
|
False claim on CNG alleged |
|
After pollution, the "clean air"
campaign being conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment(CSE) has got a dirty
opponent. According to CSE director Sunita Narain, e-mails, widely sent by an
"independent news agency" wrongly claim that the centre has "issued public
statements retracting its stand on the Compressed Natural Gas(CNG) issue and tendered an
apology to the citizens of Delhi."
The Times of India, New Delhi, 18th April, 2002 |
|
|
CSE files FIR against cyber 'canard' |
|
| The Centre for Science and Environment, which
has been in the forefront on the CNG issue in the Capital, today filed an FIR in Ambedkar
Nagar police station alleging that a cyber campaign has been launched against the green
group to tarnish its repuration. The green group, in a release said, it has come to its
notice that an e-mail message is in wide
circulation from a portal called dhamakapataka@morningindia.com maligning CSE and
misrepresenting the facts of its campaign on CNG.
The Tribune, Chandigarh, 18th April, 2002 |
|
|
It's poison everywhere |
|
Polluted air, water and soil. The perfect
recipe for an environmental disaster. But scores of Delhiites live this disaster every
day, mostly oblivious to the perils he combats. On April 5, while passing its order on CNG
buses, the Supreme Court noted : "Lack of concern or effort on the part of various
government agencies had resulted in spiralling pollution levels. The quality of air was
steadily decreasing..."According to the Centre for Science and Environment(CSE), the
city's air kills a person every hour.
The Times of India, New Delhi, 14th April, 2002 |
|
|
IGL wants to hike prices |
|
Compressed natural gas is no longer going to
come cheap. After the Centre upped CNG prices by 90 paise to Rs 13.11 per kg, the sole
supplier of the gas in the city, Indraprastha Gas Ltd, is contemplating a hike. Added to
that comes a 4 per cent sales tax, which the state government imposed on CNG on
Thursday.However, the Centre for Science and Environment has termed the move as "one
more nail in CNG's coffin". CSE director Sunita Narain said" "This is an
effort to destroy the initiative taken by the Supreme Court to clean up Delhi's air. Once
hiked, the price difference between CNG and diesel (priced at Rs 16.59 a litre) will
narrow down and people won't have an incentive to convert their vehicles to CNG."
The Times of India, New Delhi, 13th April, 2002 |
|
|
Pollution level drops; clean air still a far cry |
|
The latest bus crisis in the Capital which left
scores of commuters stranded might have a bright side to it - the levels of pollution have
dropped drastically in the past five days."There are also trucks and tempos which
pollute but nothing is being done," said the Director of Centrre for Science and
Environment, Sunita Narain.
The Hindu, New Delhi, 12th April, 2002 |
|
|
Pollution levels in city continue to fall |
|
In keeping with predictions made by experts,
pollution lvels in the city declined for the second consecutive day today. According to
figures furnished by the Central Pollution Control Board's laboratory, the levels of
Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) fell to a new low of 148 which is a drastic
reduction from yesterday's 189.The biggest cause of cheer however is the reduction in RSPM
levels because it is the most critical pollutant leading to health hazards. Says Sunita
Narain of the Centre for Science and Environment:"We are seeing a trend and it is
clear that the reduction in the pollutants is happening because of the removal of diesel
buses from the roads of the Capital."
The Indian Express, New Delhi, 11th April, 2002 |
|
|
With diesel buses off roads, Delhi air has become
cleaner |
|
Commuters on Delhi roads may be a harried lot
following the Supreme Court directive but at least they are breathing much cleaner air.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board figures (CPCB), for the first time
respirable suspended particular matter (RSPM) levels on Monday dropped to their
lowest-ever in the Capital. It sttod at 189 micrograme per cubic metre (MPCM) at ITO
crossing. "Since the past three to four years, the RSPM level has never been so low
in the months of March and April," said Sunita Narain, Director Centre for Science
and Environment.
The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, 10th April, 2002 |
|
|
City coughs up crores for air we breathe |
|
Quality of air has not meant much to our
politicians. Over the years the cost of breathing polluted air has been paid by residents
of Delhi - be it inthe form of asthma, pulmonary distress or even cancer. But this time,
the netas may not be able to get away with it. Centre for Science and Environment director
Sunita Narain said, "It is now well established that air pollution leads to
considerable levels of mortality and morbidity."
The Times of India, New Delhi, 8th April, 2002 |
|
|
Delhiites brace up for chaos |
|
The commuters in the Capital had a harrowing
time with about half the public transport buses on diesel going off the roads of the
National Capital Territory, following the Supreme Court order imposing hefty fines on the
violators.But, for the environmental activists it was time to rejoice and celebrate as the
Supreme Court has ruled in their favour. Terming the Apex Court order as "momentous
and innovative" Ms Sunita Narain, Director of the Centre for Science and Environment,
said they are jubilant over the order as it has scotched all controversy.She said the
court has broadened the jurisdiction of the case beyond Delhi.
The Tribune, Chandigarh, 7th April, 2002 |
|
|
CSE hails SC judgement |
|
Welcoming the apex court's order, the Centre
for Science and Environment (CSE) today said that all the doubts being raised about its
implementation have been addressed in the judgement.Issues like the lack of buses, gas
shortage and lack of infrastructure have been addressed at length in the order, said
Sunita Narain, director, CSE.
The Indian Express, New Delhi, 7th April, 2002 |
|
|
Court trashes govt - hook, line and Mashelkar |
|
Today's court order on CNG has spared no words
to criticise the way R.A. Mashelkar Committee had been set-up, its composition and its
recommendations. The Union government had overzealously accepted and presented the interim
report before the Supreme Court in 2001.What the Mashelkar Committee report did do,
inadvertently, was to focus the attention of the apex court to the rest of the
country."Since the report was meant to recommend automotive policy for the entire
country, by tabling it the government actually opened doors for a national policy and CNG
or any otehr relatively non-polluting fuel for other polluted cities of the country,"
says Anumits Roy Choudhury, coordinator of the air pollution cell of the Centre for
Science and Environment.
The Indian Express, New Delhi, 6th April, 2002 |
|
|
Dirty oil charges unfair? IOC, NGO slug it out |
|
The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has joined
issue with the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on its charges of fuel
adulteration.A CSE report released last week had said that adulteration was rampant. The
quality of diesel and petrol collected in different parts of the National Capital Region
was found to vary, at times hugely.
The Times of India, New Delhi, 16th March, 2002 |
|
|
Lid on fuel adulteration blown off |
|
The green brigade has opened a can of worms on
the oil industry through a recent survey done by the Centre for Science and Environment on
the prevalence of adulteration at fuel outlets and depots in and around New
Delhi.Adulteration goes undetected by monitoring agencies since the detection methods and
standards are weak, CSE observed in its report submitted through the Environmental
Pollution Authority to the Supreme Court late last month.
Business Line, New Delhi, 14th March, 2002 |
|
|
Adulteration of fuel rampant in Capital |
|
The unseen truth is out. Nearly a tenth of all
fuel being sold in the Capital is adulterated and vehicle-owners are not only paying more
for less, they are also inadvertently damaging their engines.And with the oil companies
simply looking the other way and testing laboratories not being able to even point out the
adulterations, the scenario is grim. At least this is what the Centre of Science and
Environment has submitted to Environment Pollution Authority, which entrusted it to carry
out a survey on fuel quality in Delhi on the directions of the Supreme Court.
The Hindu, New Delhi, 14th March, 2002 |
|
|
Govt lab failed to check fuel-adulteration: CSE |
|
A mere mixing of 15 per cent of Kerosene in-a
litre of diesel is enough for a petrol pump owner to make a profit of Rs 25,000 in a day.
Incidentally the government owned fuel testing labarotary is unable to catch this
adulteration. These and other allegations were made by the Centre for Science and
Environment in a report submitted to the Bhurelal Committee.
The Pioneer, New Delhi, 13th March, 2002 |
|
|
CSE for tighter laws to check fuel adulteration |
|
Not enough is being done to check adulteration
of fuel, says the Centre for Science and Environment in its study based on an independent
assessment conducted in the National Capital Region.The study highlights the epidemic
dimensions this problem has acquired -rampant fuel adulteration; its difficult detection
and dilution in the punishment for adulterers.
The Times of India, New Delhi, 13th March, 2002 |
|
|
Hidden adulteration |
|
Adulteration of fuel in Delhi exists, but
remains undetected due to weak testing methods, said the Centre for Science and
Environment(CSE) on Tuesday.
The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, 13th March, 2002 |
|
|
Detection methods fail to check adulteration in
petrol, fuel quality |
|
A study conducted by the Centre for Science and
Environment has revealed that fuel adulteration in the city goes undetected because
detection methods and standards are too weak.
The Asian Age, New Delhi, 13th March, 2002 |
|
|
CSE demands better fuel quality standards |
|
A non-government organisation, Centre for
Science and Environment, has demanded tightening of fuel quality standards and development
of alternative testing procedures to stop adulteration in petroleum products.At a press
conference, CSE, released a report on the fuel quality at fuel dispensing stations, oil
depots and tank lorries.
The Statesman, New Delhi, 13th March, 2002 |
|
Next>> |
|