Banned diesel tempos continue to ply on city roads in TTZ

Agra: Alarming level of air quality in the city over the past few weeks has exposed the tall claims made by officials about steps taken to control pollution. Data by the regional transport office (RTO) shows that 3,700 15-year-old tempos running on diesel engines continue to ply on city roads and various routes through the eco-sensitive Taj Trapezium Zone, spanning five districts.

A 10,400 square km area around the Taj was declared TTZ in order to protect the monument from pollution. The Supreme court had in a ruling in 1996, banned the use of coal/ coke in industries located in the TTZ with a mandate for switching over to natural gas or relocating them outside the TTZ or shutting them down.

Around four years ago, all 15-year-old tempos running on diesel engines were banned from plying in the TTZ which comprise about 40 protected monuments, including three World Heritage sites – the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. RTO officials said all diesel tempos owners were asked to switch to CNG if they wanted to ply in the city and the TTZ.

But at the ground level, many pollution causing Euro 2 tempos can be seen plying in and around the city.

In fact, sources said, in the past three months, not a single pollution-causing tempo has been dismantled at the RTO office here.

Accepting that prohibited tempos continue to operate in the city, RTO (administration) AK Singh said, “Re-registration and fitness certification of diesel vehicles more than 15 years old is not taking place in the district. Orders have been issued to the enforcement wing for strict action against outdated diesel engine tempos. In recent months, around 50 banned tempos have shifted the registration of their vehicle to nearby districts.”