JUDGMENT

Shaji P. Chaly, J.

This is a public interest litigation filed by a resident of Ernakulam, seeking a direction to the respondents, i.e. the Union of India, represented by the Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, New Delhi, the State of Kerala, represented by the Secretary to Government, Ministry of Transport, Government Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram, the Transport Commissioner, Kerala State, Thiruvananthapuram, the Kerala State Pollution Control Board, Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram, represented by its Member Secretary, the District Collector, Ernakulam, Civil Station, Kakkanad and the Director General of Police, Police Headquarters, Thiruvananthapuram, respondents 1 to 6 in the writ petition respectively, not to grant renewal of permits to the diesel operated transport vehicles including auto rickshaws etc., plying in the major cities and towns of Kerala, especially Kochi City; issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to grant replacement to the existing diesel transport vehicles / auto rickshaws with LPG / CNG vehicles of the BS – IV standard; issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to take steps, to completely phase out the BS – I and BS – I