The state transport minister, Mr Subhas Chakraborty, admitted today that the state government have delayed a crackdown on the huge number of unregistered auto-rickshaws plying in the city and its outskirts due to anticipated stiff resistance from their operators.Mr Chakraborty said only 30,000 of the 45,000 auto-rickshaws plying in Kolkata, North 24-Parganas and South 24-Parganas are registered.
“The process has been delayed, as if the government decides to seize the unregistered autos, the situation could turn violent. We are trying to register all the autos first, and then we will convert them into single mode LPG-run four-stroke vehicles,” said the state transport minister.“Actually, when two-stroke autos were banned in Delhi, a large number of autos went to Kolkata and Patna and they began plying in Kolkata without permission. A large number of people, mainly youths, became involved. We are trying to streamline these autos but it will take some time,” the minister said.
Mr Chakraborty expressed hope that the state government will be able to meet the Calcutta High Court deadline for completing the conversion process, now that the date has been extended until 31 July. “Currently, a total of 4,336 LPG-run autos are plying on the city and its outskirts. We have received applications from another 19,000 operators of two-stroke autos who want to convert into LPG-run four-stroke vehicles,” said the minister.
Mr Chakraborty also mentioned that though there is no shortage of LPG to run autos in the city, the locations of the LPG pumps might cause problems. “There are 12 LPG pumps in the city and its outskirts but this is not enough to cater to all the autos plying in and around Kolkata. The oil companies have agreed to set up 10 more LPG pumps by the end of this month. Once these pumps have come up, the potential problems associated with the conversion will be solved,” said Mr Chakraborty.
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