Cleaner fuel vehicles on the rise in Pune
Pune: Vehicular pollution and resultant respiratory problems are increasing in the city but so are the number of vehicles opting for cleaner fuel as against conventional diesel and petrol.
More and more private cars and public transport vehicles are now going for compressed natural gas (CNG). In fact, over 55,000 vehicles running have switched to CNG, as per the latest count by the city’s regional transport office (RTO). The vehicles include 21,000 private cars, about 32,000 autorickshaws and 1,000 Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) buses.
Until last year, about 45,000 vehicles had switched to CNG and 2015 saw an addition of another 10,000 vehicles. Private cars form a major share with their numbers going up to 21,000 from 14,000.
RTO Officials said that although the number of CNG-run vehicles appears to be very small, there has been a steady increase in use of CNG.
Even autorickshaw drivers, who were unwilling to install CNG kits earlier a couple of years ago, have switched over to the cleaner fuel. About 75% autorickshaws in the city are already running on CNG, while, officials said, the remaining three-wheelers are expected to fit the kits in the next year.
Autorickshaw drivers and private car owners claim that they are opting for CNG because it is cheaper than petrol or diesel and a CNG-fitted vehicle can clock good mileage. Owners say that, in last couple of years, several car manufacturers have introduced CNG variants in addition to petrol and diesel models.
Vijay Rathi, a resident of Shukrawar Peth who drives a hatchback about six months back, said, “So far, I am satisfied with the performance of the CNG-run engine. I haven’t faced any problems, the mileage is decent and availability of CNG is also good. I think it is a matter of choice who are purchasing a city car.”
Ramesh Paigude, an autorickshaw driver from Shivajinagar area said that supply and availability of CNG has improved in the city. “Authorities have started additional refilling stations in other parts of the city besides Shivajinagar. The move has prompted autorickshaw drivers to fit CNG kits. Now, there is a need to regulate and control prices of CNG, otherwise drivers will lose out on the benefit of cheaper fuel,” Paigude said.
The use of the cleaner fuel as an alternative got a major boost in 2009 after the government made it mandatory for autorickshaws and public transport buses to install CNG kits. Steps were initiated to reduce air pollution, caused by exhaust emissions, in the city.
RTO authorities said they have told remaining autorickshaw drivers to install CNG kits. Some autorickshaws in the city are still running on petrol, diesel or LPG. The government has announced a subsidy for CNG kits.