PATNA: With the state government banning diesel-run autorickshaws and old buses in the city, sales of compressed natural gas (CNG) have increased by 9.1%. Many vehicle owners have also shifted to CNG due to the rise in prices of petrol and diesel.
According to the data available with Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL), the sole supplier of CNG in Patna, the sales of cleaner fuel in the city have increased from 50,000-55,000kg per day in March to 60,000kg per day now. A K Sinha, general manager of GAIL-Patna, said it was encouraging that people are now using environment-friendly fuel. “After the ban on diesel-run autos and old buses in Patna municipal area, including Khagaul, Danapur and Phulwarisharif, people are switching to CNG. As a result, consumption of CNG has marginally increased by 5,000-6,000kg per day,” he added.
The CNG is being sold at Rs 72.96 per kg in Patna, after a hike of Rs 3 on April 1. The GAIL is hopeful that the daily consumption of cleaner fuel will further go up as more CNG buses and autorickshaws will hit the roads in coming days. Besides, the private operators are also replacing diesel-run minibuses with CNG buses.
Six companies in Patna are currently allowed to retrofit petrol and diesel cars with CNG kits. Altogether 19 CNG stations have been functional in Patna district and one more will come up at Anisabad within a month.
Sinha said 10 more CNG stations would be set up by April next year. “As the consumption of eco-friendly fuel has increased, we are trying our best to meet the demand,” he added.
