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CNG Vehicles for Cleaner Air: Delhi Shows the Way

Section Miscellaneous
Posted on Fri Jul 23, 2004 at 11:48:28 AM EST

Originally posted on April 23, 2004

It is now an established fact that modernisation and increase in automobiles are responsible for the rise in respiratory diseases. About 10 per cent of India`s population suffer from respiratory diseases, according to World Health Organisation`s statistics. In 10-15 years, there could be an asthma epidemic, says R. Narasimhan, chairman, Respiratory Research Foundation of India. What then is the solution?

If the example of our capital city Delhi is taken, it would mean switching over to compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles. A recent study shows that the introduction of compressed natural gas (CNG) buses in the Capital has led to a definite improvement in the health of the drivers - especially those of the Delhi Transport Corporation- as very few of them are now reporting breathing problems which were aggravated by diesel fumes earlier.

Natural gas vehicles (NGVs) are much cleaner than vehicles fueled by conventional diesel, especially with respect to the emissions of fine particulate matter which is the pollutant of interest in South Asia. Many cities around the world have mounted NGV programs with varying degree of success.

Experience has shown that moving to any new technology is always beset with hurdles, primarily opposition from entrenched business interests. Some governments have taken strong proactive approaches to counter such opposition, and raise public awareness. One such example is the public notification that was issued by the US Department of Energy to separate myths from facts about CNG . To counter what it calls 'industry folklore', the US Department of Energy issued the notification, entitled Natural Gas Buses: Separating Myth from Fact, in April 2000. The release deals with issues like: cost, effect on global warming, safety, and health effects of nanoparticles or ultra-fine particles from CNG.

"It becomes very difficult for people to understand the benefits of an alternative fuel programme if they are confronted with misinformation or poor comparisons based on false assumptions," points out the notification.

The main advantages of NGVs include
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very low particulate emissions
low emissions of airborne toxins
negligible emissions of oxides of sulfur
more quiet operation, having less vibrations and less odor than the equivalent diesel engines.

In June 2001, India's Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) invited international experts for an independent technical evaluation of compressed natural gas (CNG) bus technology in India. Their report stated "... we are unanimous in our view that the principal program elements required to implement the CNG bus program in Delhi appear to be in place, and that this program appears poised for outstanding success.
"This is an accomplishment of which the world will take notice, and in which the principal agencies and persons involved in the CNG program can rightly take great pride. This program can serve as an outstanding example for other cities and nations of a successful transition to CNG. We here reaffirm that conclusion."
Four years is all it will take for the country to get "free and plentiful" CNG as 24 cities get hooked on to the National Gas Grid. Not many know about this and the Environment Protection Control Authority (EPCA) is now writing to cities on GAIL's `Operation Blue Sky'.

Some cities have already begun following Delhi's example. In Vadodara, the Vadodara Autorickshaw Union, which functions under the Vadodara chapter of INTUC, has readied 100 operators to convert to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). The union, which till a few months back was in search of a financier, has convinced a co-operative bank to give them soft loans.

Pune citizens will get CNG buses soon promises Congress Candidate Suresh Kalmadi, who has made this part of his agenda once elected.