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)