The Indian State of Bengal’s state environment department has used the ready availability of natural gas from domestic coal bed methane production to kick off an initiative to introduce compressed natural gas (CNG) for transportation. The focus will first be on the public transportation system in the Asansol-Durgapur area and will be implemented in phases.
According to a report published by Times of India, the first phase will see 500 state run buses of the South Bengal State Transport Corporation (SBSTC) fleet converted to CNG operation.
Bengal will ask at least 2000 auto rickshaw operators in the Durgapur-Asansol area to opt for CNG, state transport minister Sovan Chatterjee reportedly said on Tuesday. He said that if the initiative bears fruit in this area, the project will be offered as an option to Kolkata and its adjoining areas.
The state environment department will give Rs 5 crore (USD 1.07 million) to the state transport department for the conversion.
