BWSSB not to buy tankers for now

Water Board cites directive on emission standards as a hurdle

The reason: The Union Transport Ministry’s directive on emission standards that prescribe that only Bharat Stage IV (BS IV or Euro 4) four-wheelers ply within city limits.

Presently, BS IV standard water tankers are not available in the market. Leading automobile manufacturers say BS IV standard vehicles will debut only in July or August.

The City RTO offices, too, are not registering any new water tankers of BS III standard.

“We can provide water tankers of BS III standard, but they are not allowed to ply within the city limits. However, new tankers could be registered either in Devanahalli or Electronics City and then be brought to the City,” said S Prasad, senior manager, Arvind Motors Pvt Ltd, a Tata vehicle dealer.

Chandrashekar, an area officer from Ashok Leyland, said the automobile firm had only BS III standard vehicles. The BS IV standard tankers will hit the market in the coming months, he added.

Speaking with Deccan Herald, Shyam Bhat, State Transport Commissioner, said he had suggested to the BWSSB officials to get new water tankers registered outside Bangalore limits and then operate them within the city.

“Since BS IV standard water tankers are yet to hit the market, I suggested to the BWSSB chairman to get the vehicles registered in Nelamangala and then ply them in City limits,” he said.

The suggestion is obviously against the spirit of the rule disallowing BS III standard vehicles in the city limits: That of reducing air pollution.

But the BWSSB is wary of registering new tankers in Nelamangala as they do not have their offices there.

“Normally, water tankers get registered in the name of the Executive Engineer, or the Assistant Executive Engineer concerned of the sub-division located in the RTO jurisdiction concerned. Since we do not have our office, or our connections in Nelamangala, the BWSSB is rethinking on buying water tankers now,” said a BWSSB official.

The water board has already invited tenders for purchase of 30 jetting machines and 30 water tankers, the official added.