Transport Dept seeks promise from Tata, Ashok Leyland

Kuldeep Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, March 2

Even as the Ministry of Petroleum is ready to open Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations at Manali and other parts of the state, the Transport Department today sought a written assurance from Tata and Ashok Leyland, manufacturers of the CNG buses, whether or not these would run successfully in the sub-zero temperatures of 13,050 ft-high Rohtang Pass.

Three members from the Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL), Tata and Ashok Leyland today held a meeting with HRTC officials here on the feasibility of CNG bus service to Rohtang Pass. But the meeting remained inconclusive as Tata and Ashok Leyland bid time for giving any commitment, sources revealed.

They would consult their organisational heads before committing anything concrete as it is a serious matter pending before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which had directed the Director, Transport, to ply CNG buses to protect the ecology of Rohtang Pass, sources said.

“The meeting remains inconclusive as we have sought a written assurance from Tata and Ashok Leyland, which they would convey shortly,” said RN Batta, Director, Transport, and MD, HRTC, who headed the state team at the meeting.

“The Petroleum ministry is ready to set up CNG stations in Manali and other parts of the state,” he added.

Stumbling block
What has kept the Transport Department in quandary is that Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh had rejected the plying of the CNG buses between Manali and Rohtang Pass during his recent visit to Manali. He had told reporters in Shimla that the government would file a review petition before the NGT, pleading concerns of the locals and other welfare issues that have emerged following the NGT order