PM unveils "Mahasuraksha Yojana" for CNG taxi-rickshaw drivers

Mumbai, Mar 18 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today unveiled a unique social initiative ''Mahasuraksha Yojana'' to provide group personal accident insurance to the drivers of CNG taxis and autosrickshaws.

Launching the initiative, Dr Singh said this social security cover will be extended to over 225,000 taxi and rickshaw drivers, which will benefit over one million people and also enhance feeling of security among the drivers of CNG vehicles as well as their families.

This cover, Dr Singh pointed out, is being provided to drivers of CNG taxies and rickshaws free of charge. ICICI Lombard Insurance is the lead issuer of this cover and Bajaj Alliance Insurance is the co-chairer of this initiative.

Deliberating on the salient features of CNG usage, the Prime Minister pointed out that CNG played a vital role in reducing pollution in Delhi and hoped that Mumbai will also progress similarly with the usage of CNG.

In this context, he also pointed out that the CNG usage in Mumbai will remove 310 tonnes of harmful pollutants and in addition, 300,000 litres of petrol and 65,000 litres of diesel conserved every day.

Also, he said by using CNG in the vehicles, their fuel costs will come down to 70 per cent as compared to regular fuels like petrol and diesel.

Commenting further, the Prime Minister said the Mahanagar Gas Ltd (MGL) will supply piped natural gas (PNG) by 2008 in the entire state of Maharashtra and the cost of PNG is cheaper by 30 per cent over that of LPG besides being more convenient and safer to deliver.

He also advocated the need for private vehicle owners also to use CNG.

Dwelling on the public transport in the city, Dr Singh urged the state government to step up efforts on the Mumbai metro project.

''Mumbai cannot continue to depend on public transport that it has inherited from the past. We need more efficient and higher quality public transportation,'' he said.

Stating that Mumbai needs quantum jump in the quality of public transport, he said the state government should strive harder to achieve the same.

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