Thiruvananthapuram: The city witnessed the launch of India's first liquefied natural gas (LNG) bus on Tuesday. Union petroleum and natural gas minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan flagged off the most fuel-efficient bus, yet to be road legal in India, at Mascot Hotel here. At the same venue, hinting at its commitment to shift towards greener fuel, state carrier KSRTC rolled out its first compressed natural gas (CNG) bus.
Mr Vijayan reiterated that all KSRTC buses would run on CNG in the next five years. Similarly, KSRTC will add LNG buses which are more suitable for long-distance routes to its fleet to cut carbon emission by 50 percent. The LNG buses are part of a grand plan by the Union ministry of petroleum and natural gas to reduce the carbon footprint. Mr Pradhan lauded Mr Vijayan for being proactive in demanding LNG and other gas-based facilities in the state from the Union government.
The bus was made jointly by Petronet LNG, Indian Oil Corporation and Tata Motors. Its fuel tank was provided by M/s Chart Industries, USA. The LNG-fueled bus brought to Kerala by trailer filled up fuel from Petronet's Kochi terminal. The vehicle is less noisy and more fuel efficient than conventional diesel vehicles.
Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) has formed an expert committee to formulate regulations for installation of LNG fuel tank and dispensing stations. The bus will go road legal once rules are ready. The launch also coincided with the fourth meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) holding transport portfolios. During the same event ministers also flagged off a solar autorickshaw assembled by Lifeway Solar Private Limited, Kochi.
