Kochi: Sub-committee to study shift to natural gas

KOCHI: A sub-committee headed by Transport principal secretary K.R. Jyothilal has been formed to study and submit a report on converting of KSRTC buses, fishing boats and passenger boats to natural gas as fuel from diesel. The decision was taken after a meeting held by Transport Minister A.K. Saseendran with top officials of the Petronet LNG Limited in Kochi on Saturday. 

Petronet LNG has promised to bear the cost needed for changing 100 KSRTC buses to LNG from diesel. 

The minister welcomed the suggestion by Petronet LNG. 

Diesel and kerosene are still used in fishing boats. Although the union government does not allow the use of kerosene in fishing vessels a portion of kerosene allocated to the state is given to fisher folks with a subsidy.

 The possibility of using natural gas in fishing boats is being examined in this background. The sub-committee will also examine using CNG or LNG in the passenger boats currently using diesel.

LNG has not been used in passenger vehicles anywhere in the country. According the National Green Tribunal Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kochi and Thrissur are the most polluted cities in the state. The government has taken a policy decision on shifting to natural gas as part of bringing down air pollution. 

The sub-committee will also examine the supply network of CNG and LNG in the state.

 At present steps are on to set up LNG and CNG units at Anayara in Thiruvanathapuram and Edappal and Kannur in the Malabr region. Petronet LNG CEO Prabhat Singh and other senior officials took part in the discussions with the minister.