<p>With taxi operators protesting restrictions on diesel vehicles, the Centre plans to define the All India Permit (AIP) taxis as those which run for a minimum of 40 km per day and are hired on an hourly or daily rates, apart from covering long routes.<br /> </p>.<p>Aiming to explore a solution in the wake of the ban on diesel taxis, a proposal is being worked out to define taxis with AIP, which will soon be sent to a high-level committee for approval. It has also been proposed that vehicles with an All India Tourist Permit (AITP) be allowed to be hired on contract for offices, companies and industries.<br /><br />However, a final decision would be taken by the three-member committee appointed by Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari after representatives of taxi and transport operators called on him requesting a policy for taxis.<br /><br />The committee, headed by ministry secretary Sanjay Mitra, comprises joint secretary in the ministry Abhay Damle and Delhi transport commissioner.<br /><br />After extending the deadline twice, the Supreme Court had last month refused to give more time to cab operators to convert to CNG, and put a ban on diesel cabs in the city from May 1.<br /><br />Taxi operators have been protesting restrictions on diesel vehicles amid increasing vehicular pollution in the capital, where the air quality is considered one of the worst in the world.<br /><br />The court has exempted AITP taxis from switching to CNG if they operate outside the National Capital Region. <br /><br />According to the Delhi transport department, about 60,000 taxis are registered in the capital city, of which 27,000 run on diesel. Around 2,000 diesel-run taxis had converted to CNG mode in the last two months. <br /><br /><br /></p>
<p>With taxi operators protesting restrictions on diesel vehicles, the Centre plans to define the All India Permit (AIP) taxis as those which run for a minimum of 40 km per day and are hired on an hourly or daily rates, apart from covering long routes.<br /> </p>.<p>Aiming to explore a solution in the wake of the ban on diesel taxis, a proposal is being worked out to define taxis with AIP, which will soon be sent to a high-level committee for approval. It has also been proposed that vehicles with an All India Tourist Permit (AITP) be allowed to be hired on contract for offices, companies and industries.<br /><br />However, a final decision would be taken by the three-member committee appointed by Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari after representatives of taxi and transport operators called on him requesting a policy for taxis.<br /><br />The committee, headed by ministry secretary Sanjay Mitra, comprises joint secretary in the ministry Abhay Damle and Delhi transport commissioner.<br /><br />After extending the deadline twice, the Supreme Court had last month refused to give more time to cab operators to convert to CNG, and put a ban on diesel cabs in the city from May 1.<br /><br />Taxi operators have been protesting restrictions on diesel vehicles amid increasing vehicular pollution in the capital, where the air quality is considered one of the worst in the world.<br /><br />The court has exempted AITP taxis from switching to CNG if they operate outside the National Capital Region. <br /><br />According to the Delhi transport department, about 60,000 taxis are registered in the capital city, of which 27,000 run on diesel. Around 2,000 diesel-run taxis had converted to CNG mode in the last two months. <br /><br /><br /></p>
