Taking a strong note of the increasing pollution level in the State capital, the Jharkhand High Court, while hearing a PIl, asked the administration to take strict action in this regard and allow diesel auto-rickshaws to ply on roads only after checking their road worthiness and pollution certificates. At present, more than 10,000 diesel auto rickshaws are plying on the roads of Ranchi while permits have been given to only 2,335 of them.
“The court also asked the district administration that the auto rickshaws found repeating the offence should be impounded,” said amicus curie Dilip Jerath. The court was also of the view that an awareness campaign should be carried out in schools by showing the students some slides and small films making them aware of the effects of pollution and road safety as well, he said.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Virender Singh and Justice PP Bhatt also directed the district administration to make lands available for opening up outlets of auto lPG filling pumps to each of the three oil companies – Hindustan Petroleum, Bharat Petroleum and Indian Oil Corporation limited. The oil companies have demanded a piece of land measuring 50m by 50m for setting up the filling stations.