But what seems to have angered transporters most is the government's decision to ban taxis older than 15 years from plying in the city from January 1, 2001. For now, taxis older than 17 years will be taken off the city roads. A decision on the "retirement age" of buses, minibuses, trucks, vans and autorickshaws will be taken by August 15 next. Moreover, from August 1, the state government is also goingto impose new restrictions on emission levels to cut down air pollution by old public and private vehicles all over the state. All vehicles will have to acquire new "Pollution Under Control" certificates by that date. Offenders will have their registration temporarily cancelled.

The city has witnessed a staggering growth in vehicles over the years. While only 150,000 vehicles were plying in the city in 1981, the number is at about 850,000 now. And of these, 35-40 per cent violate permissible emission levels. So far, pollution control laws had been applicable only to Calcutta, Haldia and the Asansol-Durgapur industrial belt.

The state government, which had hitherto held that Calcutta did not warrant such drastic steps as the banning of old vehicles in view of the small number of diesel-powered vehicles plying here, has been jolted out of complacency by a Central Pollution Control Board study that revealed that about five million citizens in the state fall prey to various air pollution-related diseasesevery year. Of these about 10,000 die, a figure that exceeds that of Delhi and Mumbai.

Following the latest government directive, transport operators have alleged that in the guise of implementing Euro I and II standards, the state government is actually aiding the big automobile houses in the sale of new vehicles. The new pollution control laws will jumpstart the revival process of the auto industry, which is in a slump in the country, they feel.

Kalyan Bhadra, chairman of the West Bengal Taxi Association, says, "We admit that 50 per cent of the air pollution in Calcutta is because of vehicular traffic. But we do not agree that Euro I and II norms are the last word in pollution control." He says the emission level of a vehicle could be kept in check by proper maintenance.

Bengal Bus Syndicate president Ajit Saha says, "In the case of old vehicles, the engine could be replaced." Both Bhadra and Saha feel that unlike the European and the North American countries, people in India are not in a position togo in for newer models every year.