Govt unaware of WB's CNG reserve

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) April 30, 2008 -- ASANSOL: Bengal is sitting on a treasure trove of compressed natural gas, and the first CNG outlets are already in place.

If this is news to you, so it is for the transport department — although it is industries minister Nirupam Sen who inaugurated the first CNG dispensing station at Shamdi in Asansol, 260 km from Kolkata, on July 14 last year.

In the last nine months, four CNG outlets have come up in Asansol. But, surprisingly enough, the government seems to be playing down this crucial breakthrough.

The transport department continues to parrot its excuse that CNG is unavailable in Bengal, although the gas found in Asansol is coal bed methane (CBM) — the cleanest possible fuel on the planet.

Great Eastern Energy Corporation Ltd, the company that tapped CBM, is now finalizing the modalities of bringing the green fuel to Kolkata, but transport officials have repeatedly claimed before the judiciary that they would have to import CNG from elsewhere in India.

"The impact of CNG can be felt if it comes to Kolkata," was all a top transport official said when asked to comment on the development.

Green activists are upbeat at the breakthrough, but their celebrations might be dampened. Sources said the powerful oil lobby is proving to be a stumbling block for CNG in Bengal. In Asansol, the district magistrate promptly endorsed the green fuel, but the local transport authority is still dragging its feet.

When CNG comes to Kolkata, it will be an automatic choice for public transport vehicles — the bulk consumers of petrol and diesel. It is not only eco-friendly (it has worked a miracle in Delhi), but also the cheapest of all fuels.

In Asansol, CNG is sold at Rs 30 per kg, without any subsidy support. One kg of CNG is equivalent to 1.45 litre of petrol. "I am getting a mileage of 40 km per kg of CNG," said Binod Gond, the proud owner of the state's first CNG vehicle.

Gond took the risk of buying the CNG-autorickshaw after much calculation. "Now, every auto driver in Asansol wants to buy a CNG auto or convert his engine," said Gond, who is yet to get a registration number for his green vehicle. He had a tough time making RTA officials understand what CNG is.

To know about Great Eastern Energy Corporation, visit the official website at http://www.geecl.com.

To know about Mr Prashant Modi, the President and COO of GEECL. Visit the official website at http://www.prashantmodi.com

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