City plans emission tests on private cars

City plans emission tests on private cars

JAKARTA (JP): The City Council proposed yesterday the testing
of gas emissions of private vehicles to help reduce the high
level of pollution in the capital.

Saud Rachman, a member of the council's Commission D, which is
responsible for the environment, said that it was time for the
city administration to regulate the gas emissions of private
vehicles.

"The pollution in the city has reached an alarming state, due
partly to the uncontrolled gas emissions from vehicles," Saud
said.

He said that, at present, gas emission testing was only
carried out on public vehicles.

Ronggo Sutrisno Thahir, another councilor, concurred with
Saud, saying that testing of the gas emissions of private
vehicles was badly needed because gas emission testing on public
transport was not sufficient.

"Many public vehicles, mainly city buses, still contribute
greatly to the pollution in the city as can be seen from the
thick black smoke that is discharged from their exhaust pipes,"
he said.

Ronggo urged the administration to reprimand the Vehicle
Testing Office, which is in charge of emissions testing.

Romulus Sihombing, another councilor, expressed concern over
the bad condition of the pollution monitoring equipment installed
in the Hotel Indonesia area.

"The equipment has been out of order for a long time, but
there hasn't yet been any indication as to when it will be
repaired," Romulus was quoted by Antara as saying.

Romulus said that was very helpful to commuters to know what
the pollution level was. (hhr)