Dhumal demands cheap CNG from Deora

New Delhi, Feb 20 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today met Petroleum Minister Murli Deora and asked him to supply cheap CNG to the State to enable it to run clean transport in plain areas.

Appreciating the State Government's move, Mr Deora said the Centre would consider his demand in a positive spirit and in a time-bound manner, a Himachal Pradesh Bhawan press release said.

Prof Dhumal said he wants to introduce CNG buses, tempos and taxis in the state on the pattern of Delhi to minimise transportation cost and check vehicle pollution.

He said 1,260 buses would be purchased duing the 11 Plan of these, 300 would be bought during 2008-2009.

He said CNG buses can be successfully run on the roads of Sirmour, Solan, Bilaspur, Una, Kangra and Hamirpur districts which are comparatively plain areas, he added.

Prof. Dhumal said introduction of the clean fuel transport would further strengthen his Government's efforts to improve air quality in the state, which had already imposed a ban on felling of green trees.

He said all the habitations with a population of more than 500 people will be connected with all weather roads by 2009-end, Prof Dhumal said.

About 3,000 km of motorable roads would be constructed and 3,500 km of roads tarred during the 11Plan, he added.

UNI YJ PDT KN1559