Pilot Project to run Two Wheelers on CNG in New Delhi

In a major step to curb rising air pollution in Indian cities, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan and Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar launched first of its kind Pilot Programme in the country to run two wheelers on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in New Delhi.

A step towards a green initiative! #TransformingIndia #CNG @narendramodi @PMOIndia @mygovindia @dpradhanbjp @M_Lekhi pic.twitter.com/JUFxSAxUZN

— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) June 23, 2016

Dharmendra Pradhan on the initiative:

Welcoming the initiative, Mr. Pradhan said that the Government is pro-actively striving to promote clean fuel in the country. He said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government is promoting the use of gas in the country, thereby providing a better lifestyle to the people and also fulfilling the COP-21 commitments to curb pollution.

Mr. Pradhan said that the Gas share in the country's fuel basket is just 7% compared to world average of around 24%. Describing the pilot programme to run two wheelers on CNG as historic, he said that after evaluating its experience, it will be expanded very fast.

#TransformingIndia A Visionary Step towards a Greener Drive @narendramodi @PMOIndia @dpradhanbjp @mygovindia pic.twitter.com/aLVlItVtE4

— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) June 23, 2016

Expressing the Government's commitment to Clean Delhi, the Minister said that he has already written to Delhi Government to make Bawana power plant fully operational on LNG so that cheaper and clean power is made available to residents of Delhi, but no satisfactory reply has been received.

He said that 350 MW Badarpur Thermal power plant in the capital is making several times more pollution than all the vehicles of Delhi put together.

Prakash Javadekar on the initiative:

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Prakash Javadekar said that the Government is fully committed to control pollution in the country, and for this purpose, there will be a jump from Euro-IV type fuel to Euro-VI by 2020.

#TransformingIndia Pilot phase project for CNG two-wheelers will have far-reaching implication in reducing pollution:https://t.co/H3703PfWjn

— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) June 23, 2016

He said that Environment Ministry will fully support the endeavours to promote clean fuel, including Gas. The Minister said that the launch of pilot phase of the project for CNG kit in two-wheelers will have a far-reaching implication in reducing pollution.

#TransformingIndia Launched 1st of its kind pilot project in #India of #CNG for two-wheelers along with @dpradhanbjp in presence of @M_Lekhi

— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) June 23, 2016

Outlining the steps taken by the government, Mr. Javadekar said that steps such as cess of Rs. 400 per ton on coal, introduction of E-rickshaws and providing subsidy to electric or hybrid cars, show the urgency and intention of the government to fight pollution.

Background:

Being implemented by Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) and one of its parent company, GAIL (India) Limited, the Pilot Programme involves 50 CNG retrofitted two wheelers.

The introduction of CNG in two wheeler segment has the capacity to revolutionise the fight against air pollution in the country and especially in the metros like Delhi, where two wheelers contribute a major portion in the vehicular emissions, according to several studies.

The type approval of the CNG kit has been taken from Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) as well as Transport Department, Government of NCT of Delhi.

Retrofitted two wheelers:

As per idle emission test, the hydrocarbon emissions from CNG retrofitted two wheelers are 75% lesser and CO emissions are 20% lesser as compared to petrol driven similar models. The CNG kit for two wheelers comprises two CNG cylinders of 4.8 litre water capacity each, which can be filled with up to 1 kg of CNG in each cylinder.

These CNG retrofitted two wheelers can drive upto 120 kms in a single fill and are expected to be substantially economical as compared to a similar petrol run vehicle at the current level of prices, as per the kit manufacturer.

The performance of 50 CNG retrofitted two wheelers would be closely monitored in terms of efficiency, emissions, etc. during the pilot phase by all the stakeholders and the learning from this project would be used to develop the roadmap for introduction of CNG in two wheeler segment across the nation.

Hawa Badlo movement:

The 'Hawa Badlo' movement is a people's initiative to fight air pollution which is supported by GAIL and city gas distribution companies. As part of the movement, a number of awareness drives have been carried out regarding the fight against air pollution.

प्रदुषण की रोकथाम के लिए सीएनजी वाले 50 दोपहिया वाहनों के साथ देश की पहली पायलट परियोजना शुरू। #TransformingIndia pic.twitter.com/iLsA7xiCxm

— Yuva TV (@YuvaiTV) June 24, 2016

'Hawa Badlo' also supports research initiatives in this regard, of which the CNG retrofitted two wheeler programme is a part.