An MoU was signed with King Gas Company in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday to convert five thousand diesel buses of the State Transport Corporation (ST) to liquefied natural gas (LNG) vehicles.
The use of LNG fuel instead of diesel will help reduce pollution by about 10 per cent in comparison. At the same time, the corporation will save INR 234 crore every year. The Chief Minister said on this occasion that passengers will get cost-effective and environment-friendly service. In a meeting held at Varsha residence, Principal Secretary of Transport Department Parag Jain, Managing Director of King Gas Company, Qureshi signed the MoU. Vice President and Managing Director Dr. Madhav Kusekar, General Manager (Storage & Purchase) Vaibhav Wakode, General Manager (Machinery) Nand Kumar Kolarkar were present.
In the next three years, 5000 diesel vehicles will be converted into LNG vehicles in six phases. Parag Jain said that after conversion of the entire 5000 buses, the corporation will save around INR 234 crores every year.
LNG fueling facility will be provided in 90 depots in the state. ST has around 16 thousand passenger vehicles running on diesel fuel. About 34 percent of the corporation's total expenditure is funded on diesel. To implement the concept of green transport to use alternative fuel instead of diesel, the Department of Industries has appointed King's Gas Pvt Ltd to supply LNG as an alternative fuel to Maharashtra. A memorandum of understanding has been entered into. It includes the use and supply of LNG for transportation. The company converting the buses to LNG will have to maintain them and their maintenance cost will be borne by the corporation.
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