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National Green Tribunal (NGT) order banning diesel vehicles above 10 years hits Educational Institutions’ Transportation
Schools will be the worst hit by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order banning diesel vehicles above 10 years. Most schools in Kerala use diesel buses or vehicles that are 10 years old and above for ferrying students.
Schools will be the worst hit by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order banning diesel vehicles above 10 years. Most schools in Kerala use diesel buses or vehicles that are 10 years old and above to ferry students.
Kerala CBSE Schools Management Association has raised their concerns to the state government and is awaiting response to the issue.
"There are around 1,500 CBSE schools in the state. They own around 15,000 educational institution buses (EIBs). Out of this, a vast majority would be over 10 years old. So, the NGT verdict will affect educational institutions adversely," said T P M Ibrahim Khan, president, Kerala CBSE Schools' Management Association.
Khan further stated, "The new government is yet to assume office. We are waiting for the government's response to the verdict. If there is any need, we will consider all aspects, including approaching the Supreme Court.”
School managements are of the opinionthat age alone can't be termed as a criteria for causing pollution.
"On an average, an EIB does 50km per day while other vehicles like stage carriages cover up to 10 times the distance a day. So, an EIB would have travelled less than 10,000km a year. The pollution caused by an EIB would be very less compared to other vehicles of the same age," Khan said.
It has been alleged that many educational institutions purchase stage carriages that have completed 15 years.
"Earlier, many schools used to purchase KSRTC buses which are auctioned due to various reasons. Now, none of the schools purchase such buses," Khan said.
Since no government order has been received on this, the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) has not started to check educational institutions using diesel vehicles above 10 years.
"We haven't received any government order in this regard. So, we haven't taken any action against EIBs so far," said K G Samuel, deputy transport commissioner (DTC), Kochi.
However, the MVD is conducting the regular checks of EIBs prior to the start of every academic year.
"We have started checking the technical condition of EIBs, inspection of documents, including pollution control certificates," Samuel said.
"We are giving training to drivers and attenders of EIBs. We have given training to over 250 employees," he said.