Newlinkroad's Blog

Carcinogenic autos roam the city

Our residents Forum has filed a Petition in the National Green Tribulation regarding this very matter last month. This shocking news article came in the Afternoon Discharge and Courier on Wednesday, July 23, 2014

By Aroosa Ahmed

Figure 1 Two-stroke engines in auto rickshaws are known to pollute the air with carcinogens, yet the financial capital of India is swarming with them

Two-stroke engines in auto rickshaws are known to pollute the air with carcinogens, yet the financial capital of India is swarming with them 

Two-stroke engines have been banned from the national capital for more than a decade now but Mumbai has yet to phase out these engines from autorickshaws. A petition was filed by the New Link Road Residents Forum and National Green Tribunal seeking a complete ban of two-stroke engines in autorickshaws. 

A two-stroke engine is a type of internal combustion engine which completes a power cycle with one crankshaft revolution and two strokes, with up and down movements of the piston, compared to the four-stroke engine which uses four strokes.

Speaking to the ADC, Harish Pandey, secretary of the New Link Road Resident Forum, said, “We have filed a petition for proper health facilities for the public. A committee formed by the Government of India, which was constituted by V M Lal, had recommended the removal of two-stroke engines permanently. These engines release Particulate Matter Emissions (PME) which comprise chemicals that are harmful to human being, especially the autorickshaw drivers themselves as they inhale it for prolonged periods. We want the government to completely phase out two-stroke engines which is not possible in a month or so. The government while renewing or replacing old permits should promote four-stroke engines.”

He further added, “Earlier the scenario was different. Now latest technologies have been approved and four-stroke engines are available.” 

Thampy Kurian, the general secretary of the Auto Rickshaw Union, said, “The engines of the autorickshaws consist of two- and four-stroke engines. The Automobile Research Association of India (ARAI) is an evaluative body and provides certification to vehicles and engines. It has given its approval to two-stroke engines in autorickshaws and technical experts have also given their thumbs up. I now fail to understand why it could create a problem. The autorickshaws adhere to the Bharat Standard 3 (BS3) norms laid down by the Government of India.”

Speaking about increasing pollution, Kurian said, “The only reason, according to me, is the increasing number of vehicles in the city and not the two-stroke engines.”

Speaking to the ADC, Dr Ashok Mahashur, consulting chest physician at Hinduja, said, “Two-stroke engines release carbon monoxide which is very harmful for the human body. It also increases the hydrocarbon levels. This could result in cancer, heart problems and bronchitis.

BS3 norms are standards instituted by the government of India to regulate the output of air pollution from internal combustion engine equipment, including motor vehicles.