Cheaper alternative: CNG project may come as a blessing for ailing KSRTC

With the Petronet LNG Limited’s (PLL) decision to speed up the laying of the pipeline project, a way out

is getting opened for the KSRTC to wriggle out of the current crisis. The recent meeting between Chief

Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Petronet LNG Ltd MD Prabhat Singh with regard to the implementation of

the pipeline project has given a ray of hope to the ailing KSRTC.

Prabhat Singh said that Kerala CM assured that all obstacles for the project would be removed. He said

that the project would be completed within two years. The chief minister had said in New Delhi last

week that he had invited the PLL MD to Kerala for detailed discussion.

Earlier, exactly a year ago, the Government of Kerala and PLL had discussed the plans to implement a

pilot project and set up a Liquid CNG station in Thiruvananthapuram for the successful completion of a

pilot project. It had even identified a plot near KSRTC station, Peroorkkada.

According to it, there were plans to convert 150 KSTRC buses and some of the government vehicles to

CNG and implement the pilot project for three years.

The PLL, according to a note submitted to the then government, which is available with Express, had

asked the government that govt vehicles and KSRTC vehicles and autorickshaws in the Corporation area

to switch over to CNG fuel.

PLL had pointed out that LNG is known to be the cleanest commercial fuel and safer than other fuels in

many ways. It will also help the state avail of carbon credits on use of green fuel. Limited range of

methane oxygen ratio to get ignited (5 per cent to 15 percent), higher ignition temperature) 537 degree

Celsius, low density of natural gas preventing accumulation of gas at lower levels make the fuel less

vulnerable to fire and explosion.

PLL had suggested setting up of a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to support the pilot project with the

KSRTC. It had asked the government to mobilise more vehicles for optimum capacity utilization of the

LCNG station. As per the earlier plan, PLL had the responsibility to make all arrangements for setting up

all required facilities and deliver the CNG to the vehicles.

NGS INDIA