Green buses ordered in Delhi

Authorities hope the move will help reduce massive pollution

By Rajyasri Rao in Delhi

India's Supreme Court has ruled that Delhi must replace its entire fleet of buses with pollution-free vehicles by April.

Transport ministry officials say there is not enough time to introduce the new buses, which run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

But the court turned down a request by city authorities to extend the deadline for the introduction of the new fleet.

Alarm over rising air pollution in Delhi

The decision confirmed a ruling made more than two years ago that the current fleet of 10,000 diesel and petrol powered buses must be off the road by 1 April.

Dangerous pollution

The move to introduce environmentally-friendly buses is part of a campaign to reduce dangerously high pollution in the capital.

About 8,000 of Delhi's buses are run by private contractors, who have been unenthusiastic about making the required shift.

Authorities have so far been able bring in only a few hundred of the new buses and have complained of the high cost.

India's solicitor-general, Harish Salve, said the Delhi government needed at least three years to convince private operators to make the switch.

Problems

He also said all parties believe the court will extend the final date, keeping in view the problems it could cause to Delhi's bus passenger population.

The court has set February 27 as the next date for hearing in this case.

Last year, a plan to close down polluting industrial units in Delhi was reconsidered after violent street protests.

Three people were killed during clashes between police and factory workers, who said the order would lead to job losses.