Transport Secretary suggests CNG for public transport and lowering air pollution

Transport Special Chief Secretary Vikas Raj urged experts at the National Mobility Summit to explore CNG as a public transport fuel amid West Asia tensions, and also to lower air pollution.

Transport Special Chief Secretary Vikas Raj on Tuesday encouraged delegates and experts at the National Mobility Summit to examine the feasibility of using compressed natural gas (CNG) as a fuel for public transport, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Speaking to The Hindu on the sidelines of the summit, Mr. Raj noted that India’s dependence on imported fuels necessitated a re-examination of alternatives. While liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is largely imported, he said, the country has better availability of CNG. “As far as LPG is concerned, a bulk of it is procured from outside. As regards CNG, we have it in good quantity in the country. Maybe we can reduce our dependency on petrol and diesel if we go for CNG. I have suggested [to the delegates] to examine this aspect,” he said.

Mr Raj emphasised that the larger objective of mobility planning remains the reduction of air pollution, especially in urban areas, which he maintained were more severely affected than rural parts.

Referring to existing CNG models for public transport, he pointed out Delhi CNG buses in service, and said recent developments suggest that Andhra Pradesh government is moving towards introducing CNG buses.

Turning to electric buses in India, he indicated that the manufacturing in India is inadequate, even as he drew attention to the rapidly evolving electric vehicle ecosystem, noting improvements in battery life and technology.

He added that the ongoing conflict in West Asia had further complicated petroleum supply chains, with shipping lines facing restrictions, and suggested that this could serve as an catalyst to reduce dependency on conventional fuels, and that buses should adopt CNG as fuel.