KARACHI, Jan 24: The Sindh government has chalked out a strategy to encourage drivers/owners to switch over to CNG-fitted rickshaws instead of two-stroke vehicles, which were a major cause of air and noise pollution.

This was stated by Sindh (caretaker) Transport Minister Arif Ali Abbasi.

Talking to Dawn he said that according to the policy, the government would contribute 10 per cent of the cost while the remaining 90 per cent would be financed by the National Bank, which would be payable in 60 instalments.

In this connection a meeting was held with the representatives of the rickshaw owners and stakeholders, where offers were made by representatives of two different firms which deal with the conversion of two-stroke rickshaws to four-stroke engines.

According to Secretary of the Transport Department Rasool Bux Phulpoto, the two firms had been asked to submit their offers with details in writing by Jan 30.

In reply to a question he said that the department had not yet sorted out the model and year-wise phasing out of the two-stroke rickshaws.

In regard to CNG buses, he said that the transport minister had helped sort out the issue between a Swedish company and the customs; resultantly the 15 CNG buses, which were stuck up at the Karachi Port since last August, were cleared for delivery.