300 more CNG buses in the pipeline

The Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB) has asked the Road Transport Corporation (RTC) to add 300 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to its existing fleet in a bid to control pollution levels in Hyderabad. The RTC has responded in the positive and said the plan will be implemented soon.

"In order to control pollution in the city, TSPCB has asked the transport department to add 300 more CNG buses to the existing fleet of 130 CNG buses," said N Raveendhar, senior environmental scientist. “Bhagyanagar Gas Limited (BGL), the prime supplier of CNG, has tied up with RTC in this regard and will provide gas at 45 filling stations across the city,” he added.

Raveendhar rubbished media reports that city air is unfit to breathe and noted that air pollution was very much under control and that they are on the decline. "Due to Metro Rail construction, PM10, SO2, NO2 has recorded an increase in areas like Uppal, Balanagar, Jubilee hills and Paradise but this is just temporary," he noted.

"The PCB is coordinating with all the departments to control the pollution levels. We have submitted a joint action plan on behalf of Telangana Government to NGT to improve the city’s environmental conditions," added Raveendhar.