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| Sunday, 4 January 2004 |
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January 1st - D-day for black-smoke-emission culprits by SHANIKA SRIYANANDA 'D-day' for the implementation of Air Emission Standards (AES), to cut down the deadly black smoke emitting from unroadworthy belching vehicles dawned on January 1. The implementation of these standards which are cited under the National Environmental Regulations and covering three areas - air emission, fuel and vehicle importation standards was cancelled twice before its January 1 implementation. Quality diesel, which is an essential requirement for the successful implementation of the AES is now available in the market. "From January 1, sulphur in diesel is .3 per cent - it was .5 per cent earlier", Dr. Suran Batagoda, Director, Environment, Economic and Global Affairs, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, said. More than 1.5 million vehicles will be checked annually, and testing centres will be set up initially in the Colombo district. " Over 60 per cent of the total vehicles in the country run on roads in Colombo", Dr. Batagoda said, adding that the exact number of centres have not yet been decided on. "Nine proposals to set up testing centres by foreign companies with local partners have been forwarded to us, but only two have been qualified", Dr. Batagoda said. According to Dr. Batagoda, the construction work on these centres will commence in end January. " Within a period of six months they have to complete the construction of air-emission-testing centres in Colombo", he said. The Ministry intends to select another two foreign companies which are willing to set up these centres. The standards and guidelines will be set by the Ministry and the money for testing equipment will have to be borne by the company. Under Air Emission Standards for vehicles, no vehicle which discharge exhaust emission exceeding the set Air Emission Standards will be allowed to use the roads. "Vehicle owners have to pay money to get the certificate issued by the Vehicle Emission Testing Centre. The certificate is authorised by the Commissioner of Motor Traffic to every vehicle", Dr. Batagoda added. Law enforcement will be carried out by the Police and Motor Traffic Department and a fine of Rs. 10,000 will be charged from the vehicles which belch black smoke from May 1. The emission certificate is also compulsory for obtaining revenue licences from May 1. |
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