KOCHI: Going green and going in for economy is back in fashion. Speak of cars running on LPG and peoples' faces light up as they realise that as they save money, they also save the environment.

Automotive companies are coming out with LPG versions of their cars. Maruti Udyog was the first and gas cars have never had it so good.

In Kochi, the scene is no different. Approved gas conversion agencies and their customers are happy that things have turned out this way.

A plus point in the scheme of things is that more LPG pumps are being opened across the State. So far 16 LPG pumps have been opened in Kerala of which there are five in Ernakulam district itself.

The use of LPG has given Anupam Jacob, a marketing executive in the city using his good old Maruti 800, a big bonus. Besides saving money, there is less pollution, he says.

Cars running on LPG cut fuel cost substantially, says Salim C. Paulose of Bharath Trading Company, a gas car consultancy and LPG retro fitment centre at Chalikkavattam. He is enthused about the way people have taken to gas cars and says that the LPG cars offer definite economy.

While he is doing brisk business he is alarmed by the fact that people are still fully not aware of the formalities involved in converting a car to LPG.

P. Jasheed, Marketing Manager of Saban Autos Private Limited, says that gas saves significantly when compared to petrol. Besides, it is lighter on the environment, he says as points to the fact that during the last few months the company has done brisk business.

The gas conversion agencies have welcomed also the new LPG outlets that are being opened in the city and elsewhere. The situation has changed drastically from last year when Kochi's first gas filling station was opened at Edappally.

Mr. Paulose says that still stringent measures were needed to curb a tendency to use equipment and gears that are not approved for their safety by agencies like the Automotive Research Association Of India, Pune. He says that a good and proper LPG conversion with Regional Transport Officer's endorsement can be done only with the prescribed equipment at approved retro fitment centres.

The lure of saving money and the positive environmental impacts are prompting people to go in for good and proper gas conversions of late. The trend promises to catch up.

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