CNG or e-buses, tell your preference: NGT to Himachal

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday castigated the Himachal Pradesh government for delay in deciding the mode of transport that it would prefer to ply on the 51-km-long Manali-Rohtang highway, an eco-sensitive area.

The green panel also took exception to the state government’s stand that it was mulling to purchase environment-friendly electric buses to check pollution in the state, after having tested CNG buses.

“You have taken more than a year to decide which vehicles should go to Rohtang Pass. You make a statement before us stating as to which mode of transport you would prefer in this region--CNG or electric. Come with clear cut instructions on the matter. We will ask the Ministry of Heavy Industries to buy two electric buses for the state and you put them on trial. But, please do something,” a Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.

The observations came after the state government told the bench that it has yet not decided about the mode of transport in the eco-sensitive area of Rohtang pass.