The environmentalists and citizens are still waiting for conversion of 55000 two-stroke rickshaws into four stroke engines in the city. President, National Forum for Environment & Health (NFEH) Naeem Qureshi told PPI on Sunday that the Sindh Transport had decided three years back to convert 55000 two-stroke rickshaws into four stroke engines in different phases within the three years period.
Unfortunately, not a single rickshaw has been converted so far, which is matter of great concern. He said the Sindh Governor on 30 May 2007 had given relaxation to rickshaw owners to convert their two-stroke rickshaw into four stroke engines in phases during the three years period that ended in June 2010.
He said that two-stroke rickshaws were causing noise and smoke pollution that develops respiratory and other dangerous diseases among the people. Noise pollution decreases hearing ability and also affects capability of minds of people, he said.
Qureshi said that the Sindh government had also announced last fiscal year to provide Rs 3000 subsidy per rickshaw for conversion but such amount was also not paid to rickshaw owners. The citizens stricken by pollution and rickshaw owners are anxiously waiting for Rs 3000 amount, he said. "At present, all rickshaw owners are waiting for provision of facilities and Rs 30,000 amount from the Sindh government. They have also reminded various times to Provincial Minister for Transport, Secretary Transport and Secretary Provincial Transport Authority but matter could not be resolved yet,"' he further said.
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