|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Monday, 23 August 2004 |
 |
|
 |
News | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
A Vehicle Emission Testing (VET) policy aimed at reducing vehicle emissions which is a major cause of air pollution in urban areas has been drafted by the Transport Ministry. The policy prepared in collaboration with the Environment and Natural Resources Ministry is yet to receive Cabinet approval, Transport Ministry Secretary Dr. D. S. Jayaweera said. According to the proposed program, it will be compulsory for every vehicle to go through an emission test and obtain a certificate to be renewed annually before it is put on road. "Islandwide testing centres by foreign investors from the United States and Australia will be set up for this purpose. The Commissioner of Motor Traffic will have access to the data collected by these centres while the centres will also be linked with Divisional Secretariats in the country using Information Technology," Dr. Jayaweera said. The procedure laid down by the proposed policy requires every vehicle registered at the Motor Traffic Department to pass a mandatory emission test conducted by the above centres. If a vehicle fails the test, the centre will direct the owner to a competent and authorised service station where the vehicle could be repaired. "The owner will have to pay a specified fee for the test. However, a vehicle that failed the test could be re-tested after repair free of charge within 60 days of the first test". The VET program will be paralleled by skills training programs for drivers and garage mechanics assisted by foreign experts. "The estimated cost of the program is around US $ 12 million. The investors will provide the funds to be recovered in a period of seven years," he added. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
