In another possible flashpoint between the Centre and the Delhi government, the former launched CNG retro-fitment kits for two-wheelers with much fanfare on Thursday. Ten such green scooties were flagged off by MoS for Petroleum and Natural Gas DharmendraPradhan and Minister for Environment and Forests (MoEF) Prakash Javadekar with a stated aim to curb air pollution in the national Capital.
GREEN SCOOTIES
However, only on Wednesday evening, the Delhi government had issued a notification saying any CNG kit attached to a vehicle 'outside of its manufacturing factory' and declared that it has indefinitely suspended installation of new CNG kits on 'in use' vehicles.
In a first, the Narendra Modi government launched a pilot project involving 50 Honda Activascooties, which otherwise run on petrol, fitted with CNG kits. The government aims to help curb Delhi's notorious air quality levels though this project.
As per the projects' scientific assessments, hydrocarbon emission from CNG retro-fitted two-wheelers are 75 per cent lesser and carbonmonoxide emissions are 20 per cent lesser than petrol-driven models. The CNG kit for two-wheelers comprises two CNG cylinders and each cylinder can be filled with 1 kg of of gas. Vehicles can travel up to 120 km in a single fill.
ES Ranganathan, MD, Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL), told Mail Today, "Right now, we have got technology to retrofit Honda Activa and other such scooty models. It is still being developed for motorbikes. Currently, we have authorised only one dealer for it in NCT of Delhi."
CENTRE PROPOSES, AAP DISPOSES
Reportedly, the Delhi Transport Department received complaints of graft against an estimated 50 authorised private centres which did such fittings. Officials cited issues of safety and violation of environmental norms with highly polluting gaseous emissions.
The notification read: "Since allegation has been received from some corners that some CNG kit manufacturers have been supplying unapproved/uncertified CNG kits for retro-fitment... all the MLOs (Motor Licensing Officers) are hereby directed not to endorse any CNG fuel in the vehicle registration certificates till further orders."
When queried on this issue, MoS for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan, only said, "You are asking the wrong person. As a union government representative, my job is to only make clean fuels like CNG and LNG available in all local markets. Whatever laws the State governments have to make is their prerogative."
