In the famous case, "M.C.MEHTA versus Union of India & Ors", the Supreme Court ordered that all public transport vehicles in Delhi be changed over to run on CNG. A certain self-appointed environmentalist NGO (which could actually be called an "eco-terrorist") has been flaunting this as a great achievement. The said NGO persuaded SC to ignore the recommendations of an expert committee on the topic and accept those of a lay-committee. Subsequently, over the years, the safety of CNG buses has been repeatedly questioned, and investigations have shown that all is not well. Even the alleged environmental benefits attributed to the changeover to CNG have been questionable. CNG is stored in HIGH-PRESSURE cylinders (100 times atmospheric), and the constant jolts the kits receive in the vehicles demand that the engineering and maintenance be PERFECT, and that the operators be technically knowledgeable. These demands are difficult to meet and have not been met. The tragic result is accidents like this one. I hope the SUPREME COURT will take a second look at its order.
