Kolkata: The West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) has submitted to the Supreme Court an action plan proposed to tackle vehicular and industrial pollution in the metropolis with phasing out of very old vehicles and conversion of commercial vehicles to LPG.

"We have submitted an action plan as sought by the Supreme Court for Kolkata and are awaiting the court's response to it," WBPCB member secretary Ravi Kant told an interaction session at a city Chamber of Commerce on September 18.

The Supreme Court had asked four grossly polluting cities, Kolkata, Kanpur, Pune and Ahmedabad to submit individual action plans some time back.

Besides the proposal to phase out old automobiles and conversion of "in use commercial vehicles" to LPG where technology exists, the Board has also suggested ensuring availability of LPG as an automobile fuel, he said.

"We have also pointed out that the availability of very low sulphur petrol and diesel throughout the state be ensured," Kant said.

He said the action plan had been prepared after wide ranging talks with oil company IOC and its sister concern IOC Petronas along with automobile major Hindustan Motors to gauge the possibility of introducing dual-fill options.

"Many vehicles presently use LPG illegally. The idea is to have a dual-fill option for vehicles with LPG-petrol interchangeability and distribute LPG from authorised dispensing units," he said.

PTI