Maharashtra will make it mandatory for cab companies Ola and Uber to comply with state pollution norms and make CNG compulsory for their respective fleet. Other States have pushed both Ola and Uber to service majority of their rides using CNG, but Maharashtra has not imposed these measures thus far. “Additionally, we want to impose the same pollution norms that apply to the kali peeli on the two companies to reduce pollution in our major cities,” transport minister Diwakar Raote said on Friday.
Move contested
Ola and Uber have in the past contested such a mandate by the State on the ground that adequate infrastructure _ availability of CNG vehicles, CNG stations — be first put in place for a smooth transition. Uber had even challenged a Delhi government order of 2015 asking it to comply with CNG stipulations.
“We will push them as hard as possible to shift to CNG,” Mr. Raote announced during the proceedings in the Upper House of the Assembly today in reply to supplementary queries over a calling attention notice moved by Anand Thakur (NCP) and others on the arrogant attitude of auto and taxi drivers in Mumbai who they claimed either refuse fares or overcharged.
The State transport department has been on an overdrive to crackdown on vehicles causing pollution. According to the data provided by the government, from April 2017 to January 2018, pollution tests were carried out on 14,788 vehicles. Of these, 4,328 were found violating the norms. “License of 1,294 drivers has been cancelled, that of 1,024 vehicles suspended, and fine of ₹68 lakh recovered,” the Minister said. “Additionally, four lakh autos were found to be illegal,” he added.
Heated debate
Earlier, the Council witnessed a heated debate over the refusal of autos and taxis to ply as per the demands of the commuters. Mr. Raote said the government will make it mandatory to display complaint box and helpline number 1800220100 for commuters to file a complaint. “They don't even spare elected representatives. We find it hard to reach the Assembly from the railway stations since taxis don’t ply during peak hours,” said Mr. Thakur. “Most autos don’t ply commuters from east to the west in the suburbs. Action must be taken,” said legislator Vidya Chavan.
The government has taken a note of the plight of the commuters and the rude behaviour by auto, taxi drivers, Mr. Raote said.
