RTA norms on LPG autos go for a toss

​Hyderabad: The State Human Rights Commission is unhappy with the attitude of Road Transport Authority (RTA) officials for failing to act against vehicles with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) kits to go for mandatory fitness tests.

The Transport Department started implementing the LPG kits in auto-rickshaws in 1999 after the Pollution Control Board suggested the government to allow registration of auto-rickshaws only if they run on gas to avoid pollution. Later, the government introduced CNG in 2010. According to an estimate there are 1.50 lakh auto-rickshaws including 90,000 runs on LPG and 60,000 runs on CNG in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation limits.

As per the provisions of Gas Cylinder Rules, 2004, rule 35 prescribes periodical examination and testing of cylinders. As per the rules, the LPG vehicles should be tested once in every five years and CNG vehicles once in every three years. The authorities should not issue fitness certificates and permits if the vehicles do not undergo tests periodically. 

Responding to a petition filed by P Kiran Babu, the State Human Rights Commission issued notices to Transport Department and Chief Controller of Explosives, Civil Supplies Department. The officials informed that it was the duty of Transport department to take up the tests. The Commission was informed that the guidelines were being implemented in Delhi, Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru but not in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. 

Auto Union leaders said it was a risk for the citizens because there may be explosion with non-maintenance of the autos. Telangana Auto and Motor Welfare Union general secretary M Dayanand questioned, “Who will be responsible if there is any untoward incident because of the non-testing of the gas kits?” 

There may be accidents like the Shirdi-bound private bus, which engulfed in fire a couple of years ago in which two were killed and many injured, he added. He demanded the gover ment to implement the Commission’s order. “We gave a representation to the department officials and they should implement the orders. If they fail to take any action, we will file cases against them,” Dayanand said.