Longer permit span for CNG tempos likely in city

ONCE COMPRESSED Natural Gas (CNG) is introduced in the city, owners of CNG-run tempos are likely to get a huge relief. The relief is expected in the form of CNG vehicles getting a permit span of 15 years instead of the present seven years.

ONCE COMPRESSED Natural Gas (CNG) is introduced in the city, owners of CNG-run tempos are likely to get a huge relief. The relief is expected in the form of CNG vehicles getting a permit span of 15 years instead of the present seven years.

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Giving this information, State president of the Tempo-Taxi Mahasangh Ramgopal Puri told HT that the issue of a longer permit period was discussed at a meeting with the divisional commissioner. It was agreed that for CNG-run tempos, permits could be of 15 years as the vehicles were non-polluting.

If this move gets the nod then it would be a major achievement for tempo owners. In 2000, the government had regulated that in cities with more than 5 lakh population three wheelers would get a seven-years’ permit. This was done to control pollution.

However, a final decision on the permit span would be taken at the forthcoming Regional Transport Authority’s (RTA) meeting, Puri added.

Puri said a CNG tempo would cost about Rs 2 lakh, whereas a diesel-run tempo is worth Rs 1.62 lakh. He said most tempos were purchased through finance and operators faced difficulties in making repayment due to shorter duration of permit. However, the proposed increase in the permit period would provide enough time for repaying the loan, he added.

According to RTO sources, CNG-run public transport system would be launched in the city from April.