Gujarat HC seeks action plan for phasing out old diesel vehicles

Ahmedabad: Not satisfied with the Gujarat government's reply to a PIL seeking ban on diesel-run vehicles to curb pollution, the High Court on Friday asked it to spell out a time-bound action plan.

The government, in its affidavit, only expressed its intention to phase out the old diesel vehicles and ban the entry of such vehicles in the city.

But the division bench of Chief Justice R Subhash Reddy and Justice Anant Dave asked the government to come up with a time-bound action plan and adjourned the hearing to April 22.

The government today informed in its affidavit that some 40 per cent diesel-run vehicles in the state are very old and are, to some extent, responsible for pollution.

There was a plan to phase out such vehicles and ban their entry in the city, it said.

The petition, by environmental activist Devjibhai Dhamecha, advocates conversion of diesel vehicles to CNG vehicles. The government said that CNG refilling stations are gradually coming up in various parts of Gujarat, including remote areas.

The PIL points out that despite the past orders of the High Court, the government is still using diesel-run buses.

All commercial vehicles using diesel and not complying with BS4 pollution norms should be banned, it demands.