The issue is crucial as it concerns the safety of passengers availing these modes of transport.
The Maharashtra government has taken cognizance of the fact that auto rickshaws and taxis are taking proper care of CNG tanks and have now formed a committee to look into it. The issue is crucial as it concerns the safety of passengers availing these modes of transport.
Committee formed
Over the last couple of days there have been meetings between taxi and auto union leaders and officials of the Transport Department over things damaging taxis and auto rickshaws. The issues ranged from malpractices in testing of CNG tanks fit inside vehicles and illegal duplication of plates installed near the CNG tanks, to surge in fees for inspection of CNG tanks.
On April 3, DNA delved into this issue in the article 'Mumbai: Is your CNG cab travel safe?'. "We have formed a committee to look into this matter," confirmed Manoj Saunik, Principal Secretary, Transport and Ports. This committee will enquire the methods of inspection of CNG tanks, process of issuing metal plates for the tanks, genuineness of the agencies conducting the hydro-tests of the tanks, etc.
Sources said that during the meetings the unions showed them proof of duplicate CNG plates that are fitted in tanks, rules being bent for getting CNG and mismanagement by private agencies in-charge of inspecting tanks. If the quality of the CNG tank is poor, it amounts to a major safety hazard for passengers and driver, as the tank can explode.
Modus operandi
Auto rickshaws, taxis and other vehicles using CNG need to get CNG tanks inspected once in three years. There are metal plates fitted to these vehicles mentioning the vehicle number, its make, tank testing agency, date of testing, and next due date of inspection. Since July 2017, the Mahanagar Gas Limited that supplies CNG to these vehicles, has been providing the fuel only after checking the veracity of the metal plates and fitness of the vehicles.
The task to provide plates and keeping records has now been given to private retrofitters also. "The MGL needs to come out with a solution for fake metal plates. Also, hydro-testing of CNG tanks does not fall under the purview of the Motor Vehicles Act," said an official of the Transport Department.
There are around 20 private agencies that has been asked to inspect CNG tanks once in three years wherein huge pressure of water is gushed inside the tank to check for leakages and other issues. In a bid to circumvent this, drivers not only get fake metal plates, but also avoid getting their CNG tanks checked.
"We have trained our men to identify correct metal plates before giving CNG," said an MGL spokesperson. DNA has possession of two different metal plates of a single auto rickshaw. The details of the vehicle has been etched to the original one; the fake one has the information scrapped roughly.
"The problem has escalated ever since the cost of inspecting tanks has been hiked to Rs 4,000 from Rs 1,500," said Thampi Kurien, union leader, Mumbai Rickshawmen's Union.
PROOF
- During the meet, the auto, taxi unions showed proof of duplicate CNG plates fitted to tanks, rules being bent for getting CNG and mismanagement by pvt agencies in charge of inspecting tanks.
- If quality of CNG tank is poor, it can explode.
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