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Auto-rickshaws in Kolkata to run on LPG

Staff Reporter

Government offers subsidy for change-over to cleaner fuel; may be extended to buses

Kolkata: The West Bengal Government’s Department of Environment has embarked on a project to make Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) the mandatory fuel for auto-rickshaws here.

“About 35,000 auto-rickshaws in the city emit noxious fumes as they neither use petrol nor diesel. So, they go in for a cheap, adulterated mixture,” said the department’s Principal Secretary M.L. Meena.

As auto owners resisted all efforts to switch over to LPG because of higher costs, the department decided to offer them subsidy to adopt the cleaner fuel.

“The change-over kit costs around Rs.12,000 and a subsidy of Rs.4,000 will be provided,” Mr. Meena said.

“We have already forwarded Rs. 2 crore to the Transport Department towards subsidy. Around 5,000 autos would be targeted for installing the new mechanism this year. If successful, the LPG drive might be extended to buses.

“Use of Compressed Natural Gas was not feasible here because of its non-availability,” Mr. Meena said.

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