The petition is based on the facile assumption that Chandigarh faces the same or similar problem of air pollution caused by vehicles as was, or is being, faced in Delhi or in other cities such as Ludhiana in the State of Punjab, the Administration has submitted.

“It would be no exaggeration or distortion of facts to say that Chandigarh does not face any significant or material problem of vehicular or air pollution. While the increase in the number of vehicles raises issues of traffic regulation and control and also issues relating to parking, neither traffic nor parking issues can blindly or mechanically be clubbed with, or assumed to be, environmental issues,” the Administration has stated.

The Administration, however, plans to allow LPG-run auto-rickshaws in a phased manner. At present, there are two LPG stations in Chandigarh and by taking into consideration supply of LPG, additional 2,500 permits will be issued to auto-rickshaws.

The operation of existing diesel driven auto-rickshaws will be allowed till August 31, 2009, and thereafter there will be a complete ban on diesel driven auto-rickshaws in Chandigarh, the Administration has averred.