HYDERABAD: As many as 773 old vehicles belonging to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, which are considered to be unworthy of moving on roads, continue to ply on the twin cities roads endangering the lives of not only road users but also their drivers.
As per the Motor Vehicle (MV) Act 1950, any vehicle beyond 15 years of age is considered unfit to be on road. As per the National Green Tribunal (NGT), such old vehicles with high carbon monoxide emissions should be acted upon as they pollute a city’s ambient air quality.
Such vehicles, if plied on the roads, would create traffic hazards including road accidents and endanger the lives of commuters. The Lokayukta and several vigilance reports have pointed out the same since the cost of maintenance of such old vehicles is very high and suggested the government to phase out such vehicles.
Though the state government had in July 1997 issued instructions for condemning all vehicles that were more than 15 years old, no action has been taken in that regard.
According to GHMC officials, minister for municipal administration and urban development KT Rama Rao has issued fresh directions for phasing out such vehicles from the GHMC fleet since the state government wants to develop Hyderabad as a global city and make it safe, hygienic and livable. Of the 773 old vehicles, 279 will be condemned in three phases. In the first phase, 43 vehicles will be phased out that include 25 jeeps and cars, eight Krishis and four tillers, four Tractors, one Bobcat and one JCB.