The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Madurai News : Brake on unapproved LPG-driven vehicles

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 11, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

Brake on unapproved LPG-driven vehicles

By S. Vijay Kumar

A call taxi fitted with an LPG cylinder mechanism approved by the Regional Transport Officer in Madurai. — Photo: S. James.

MADURAI, DEC.10. Driving gas-fuelled vehicles without the approval of the Regional Transport Officer will lead to legal action under the Motor Vehicles Act, according to RTO officials here.

With an estimated 50 per cent of the petrol vehicles here switching over to liquefied petroleum gas fuel mechanism, the law-enforcing agencies have decided to implement stipulated guidelines for allowing gas-fuelled vehicles.

According to Transport Department sources, the RTO, R.M. Sundaram, has directed the Motor Vehicle Inspectors to launch an intensive drive against "unsafe" driving, involving domestic LPG cylinders.

The inspectors will now insist on vehicle users to get an endorsement on their registration certificates from the RTO, if they intend to change their fuel system to gas.

Conversion to LPG fuel will require submission of a prescribed `Notice of Alteration to a Motor Vehicle' form to the RTO, who will scrutinise the compatibility of the vehicle and give permission.

The fixed LPG cylinder should be fitted by an authorised agent in vehicles by following the mandatory safety parameters. The inspectors will then inspect the vehicle and make an endorsement (valid for five years) on the RC books.

"After the Government gave a nod on the use of LPG for vehicles, the first approval for gas-fuelled vehicle in the State, a Maruti Omni van, was given by the Madurai RTO (North). The use of domestic LPG is dangerous and there have been a few fatal accidents in different parts of the country in the recent past. The procedure for getting the RTO endorsement is simple and less expensive. It costs only Rs.240," says the MV Inspector (North), K. Selvakumar.

While the domestic LPG cylinders have thin walls and are prone to leakage during excessive vibrations, the specially designed cylinders for vehicle use are resistant to such risks and have the clearance of the Chief Controller of Explosives on safety standards, he said.

Mr. Selvakumar said the alteration of the fuel mechanism to any vehicle was prohibited under Section 53 of the Motor Vehicles Act and any violation would lead to confiscation of the vehicle.

"We have also taken steps to create an awareness among vehicle-users of this subject."

With gas-filling stations fast coming up in Madurai, the transport officials hope that their campaign against unauthorised use of domestic cylinders in vehicles will yield the desired results.

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