This story is from November 8, 2019

Three more CNG stations in Patna by year-end

The government may have decided to replace all diesel-based autorickshaws with those run on compressed natural gas (CNG) after March 31, 2021, but the city has only two fuel stations for supplying the gas to common people.
Three more CNG stations in Patna by year-end
Auto drivers wait in a queue outside a CNG station near Rukanpura on Thursday
PATNA: The government may have decided to replace all diesel-based autorickshaws with those run on compressed natural gas (CNG) after March 31, 2021, but the city has only two fuel stations for supplying the gas to common people.
Transport department officials have, however, claimed that two more CNG stations will come up here by the end of this month and a third one in December. In fact, by March next year, their total number is likely to go up to 10.
“We are encouraging vehicle owners to opt for CNG in order to curb pollution in the city.
It’s eco-friendly and cheaper than petrol, diesel or any other combustible fuel,” transport secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal told this newspaper on Thursday.
He added, “The transport department and the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) have targeted to convert at least 10,000 autos to CNG by December next year.”
GAIL’s deputy general manager (DGM) Rajnish Kumar pointed out that CNG conversion would be beneficial for the vehicle owners. “CNG gives a mileage of 40km/kg, which is more than petrol and diesel. Besides, it costs Rs 60.6/kg in Bihar. The prices of diesel and petrol, on the other hand, are Rs 78.57.39 and Rs 71.29 per litre,” he said.
Deliberating on plans for increasing the number of CNG stations, the transport secretary said, “Earlier, the demand was less. Now, we are planning to open more CNG stations. Two of them will be opened by the end of November and another one will be functional by December-end.”

Agarwal added, “CNG will soon be available at all times of the day.”
The state government has also decided to provide financial subsidy for conversion of autos to CNG. “An incentive of up to Rs 40,000 will be given to autorickshaw owners switching from petrol and diesel to CNG. An amount of Rs 20,000 will be provided to those willing to install CNG kits in their vehicles,” said Agarwal.
Bihar State Autorickshaw Drivers’ Association general secretary Rajkumar appreciated the government’s initiative. He, however, said, “The authorities should understand that the cost of installing a CNG kit is around Rs 75,000 and the incentive being offered is quite less.”
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