Only 400 of 43,000 rickshaws run on CNG
29 Apr 2009, 0424 hrs IST, Manish Umbrajkar, TNN


PUNE: While it's just two days to go for the May 1 deadline for autorickshaws to start plying on compressed natural gas (CNG), so far, only over 400
of the total 43,000 autorickshaws in the city have converted to CNG.

The autorickshaw drivers were given two months' time to retrofit their vehicles with the CNG kits. At a meeting on February 26, the regional transport authority (RTA) had announced that by May 1, all autorickshaws should start plying on CNG. The RTA, as of now, is not keen on extending the deadline.

Speaking to TOI, Pune divisional commissioner Dilip Band, also the chairman of the RTA, said the deadline will not be extended. "We had asked for CNG conversion of autorickshaws in the interest of the drivers themselves as it saves running costs as well as it's environment-friendly. We, however, cannot force the autorickshaw drivers to opt for CNG," he said, as the authority has no right to penalise any autorickshaw driver for not converting to CNG.

Pointing out that the election code of conduct is in force, Band said no decision on extending the deadline could be taken. The issue of CNG conversion as well as autorickshaw tariff reduction will be discussed at the next RTA meeting, he added.

Asked whether autorickshaw unions or drivers have raised any queries or complaints about CNG conversion, Band said no query has come forward so far.

Speaking to TOI, member of the RTA Baba Shinde said that personally he was of the view that the deadline for CNG conversion should be extended by two to three months. Shinde said that he had spoken to a number of autorickshaw drivers on the issue and the feedback he received was that the cost of the CNG kit is on the higher side for autorickshaw drivers to afford.

"Autorickshaw drivers need to get the CNG kits at concessional rates. Also, some arrangements for providing easy bank loan and also a subsidy will have to be made," Shinde said. Using CNG as fuel is far more economical, Shinde said. This message, he said, has to spread among the people so that all autorickshaws in city start plying on CNG.

Shinde pointed out that the second important issue regarding CNG is its availability. "The Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited (MNGL) is facing problems in laying CNG pipeline for a short distance in Dapodi. Once that work is completed, it will be available at various petrol pumps in the city and neighbouring Pimpri-Chinchwad. Most of the work of laying the pipeline has already been completed except for a small portion in Dapodi," he said. "All the issues concerning CNG will be discussed at a meeting of the RTA soon," he said.

Currently, MNGL has started providing CNG at six outlets in the city and one main station at Chikhli near Pimpri. At the six outlets, the CNG is transferred by cylinders. However, according to MNGL officials, once the work of laying the pipeline is completed, the fuel will be available online at a number of outlets.

Narayan Bhondwe, an autorickshaw driver who has fitted his vehicle with a CNG kit, says using CNG is very economical than using petrol. "There are absolutely no problems in using CNG. At present, the fuel is available at select outlets. Waiting time to get the fuel is negligible," he said.

Two months back, when the RTA decision was announced, most autorickshaw drivers who spoke to TOI said that they are willing to switch over to CNG, provided they are assured of a continuous supply. Also, the drivers said that the government should not force them to switch over to CNG.

The apprehensions about availability of CNG are wide because autorickshaw drivers have been facing problems in getting another green fuel Auto LPG. Currently, over 10,000 autorickshaws are plying on LPG. While there is no shortage of LPG, the drivers face problems because the number of outlets are very less as compared to the number of vehicles running on LPG in the city.

The Supreme Court-appointed Bhure Lal committee in 2003 had directed that all autorickshaws, which are 15-year-old, should start using LPG. The deadline for conversion to LPG had to be extended several times.