No hydro-testing centre in Kerala to inspect CNG cylinders
The Hindu
Vehicle owners forced to shell out more to get cylinders tested in other States
The absence of hydro-testing centres in the State to inspect and issue safety certificate every three years to CNG cylinders of automobiles has left the owners of CNG-run vehicles a disappointed lot. CNG-equipped autorickshaws and cars made their foray into Kochi and subsequently to other districts three years ago. However, due to the non availability of hydro-testing centres, where the cylinders can be tested for less than ₹2,000, the cylinders are being taken in bulk to other States, tested and brought back. This entails an expense of approximately ₹4,000, which many, especially autorickshaw drivers, find unaffordable, it is learnt. The safety inspection in centres approved by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) is mandatory every three years as per Gas Cylinder Rules 2004.The election authorities are gearing up for the counting of votes cast in the simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh, scheduled to be held on June 4. The Collectors and Election Officers of Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli and Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) districts said on May 23 (Thursday) that their teams were ready for the counting of votes.
Responding to the prolonged water scarcity, the residents of the area took to the streets in protest on Wednesday. The protest, which drew attention to their plight, stopped only after the intervention of the police. It was not until 1.30 p.m. that a 4000-litre tanker was finally delivered by BWSSB, providing relief to the water-starved residents.