Mumbai, Mar 31: Mumbai High Court today allowed vehicles having 15-year-old engines to ply within municipal limits till July 31 this year on payment of Rs 500 per day as penalty to the Maharashtra government. Earlier, the high court had banned the movement of such vehicles within the municipal limits on the ground that they were causing air pollution. In a statement, Maharashtra Rajya Truck Tempo Tankers Bus Vahatuk Mahasangh said the court had not considered the proposal of vehicle upgradation or change of engine or fitment of devices such as catalytic converters and this decision may result in 25000 vehicles being forced off the roads. The mahasangh has decided to launch an agitation on March 31 to highlight the plight of vehicle owners. It said the income of a transport operator per day was not Rs 500 and to burden him with an equal amount as penalty would tantamount to punish him. The mahasangh has appealed to the Maharashtra government to intervene in the matter and decided to move the Supreme Court in appeal against the high court order.
Bureau Report