Bengaluru: The transport department, which was initially planning to ban two-stroke autorickshaws, is now thinking of banning all two-stroke motorbikes from roads.
The manufacturing of two-stroke vehicles was stopped long time ago, but still many old vehicles are seen on the road, causing air and noise pollution.
A senior transport department official said, "We had initially planned to remove two-stroke autorickshaws, but now, the state government and transport department may take a decision to ban all two-stroke vehicles. A notification could be issued in a few months. Those who own two-stroke motorbikes will have to scrap them, as fitness certificates will be cancelled for such vehicles." He said that two-stroke vehicles are the biggest
polluters. "The decision was pending for a long time and now they are discussing as to how and when to enforce the ban. Once the circular is issued, we will inform the traffic police department to carry out checks. If they find two-stroke motorbikes, they have to record the registration numbers and inform us. We will then cancel the fitness certificates issued, penalise the owners and seize the vehicles."
With this order, vehicles like Yamaha RS 100, Jawa, Yezdi and others will be history. Mr Sham Rao, a bike enthusiast, who owns several old two stroke bikes, said, "I am maintaining these bikes as they were used by father and uncles. I have these vehicles in memory of them. The government should let us keep these bikes, instead of asking us to scrap them. We understand they cause pollution, but there are so many other old vehicles which emit loads of smoke but go unnoticed."
He said, "The department has to come up with alternatives, instead of ordering a blanket ban. We can use these vehicles in and around areas where we stay and that should not be a problem. We will see what rules the government will bring in."
