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Kerala Kaumudi Online
Friday, 29 March 2024 1.23 PM IST

Following Kerala Kaumudi report, KSRTC withdraws tender to purchase 700 CNG buses

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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The KSRTC has changed its decision to purchase 700 low mileage CNG buses at double the price of diesel buses after Kerala Kaumudi pointed out that the decision would be a huge liability. The corporation has withdrawn the tender for the purchase of buses worth Rs 455 crore for Swift. Instead, the KSRTC will buy 117 electric buses with a loan of Rs 100 crore. The tender process will start on Monday.

The corporation will think of buying more CNG buses only after buying 10-20 CNG buses and finding them profitable. It will also consider converting some of its diesel buses to CNG.

The Kerala Kaumudi report published on May 23 against the decision to buy CNG buses was widely discussed even on social media. With the sharp rise in CNG prices, the difference between diesel and CNG prices has become narrow. The market price of diesel is Rs 96.26 and CNG is Rs 83. While the diesel bus has a mileage of 6 kmpl, the CNG bus gets a maximum of 5 kmpl.

Other states are abandoning CNG due to the losses. The opposition trade unions had also come up alleging corruption behind the KSRTC's move to purchase 700 CNG buses. Following this, the KSRTC was forced to change its mind.

Conversion of diesel engine to CNG in two ways

1. Replacing diesel engine with CNG engine. Cost 6 lakhs

2. CNG engine and BS6 gearbox. 15 lakhs cost

Hope on CBG
The Transport Department has received expert advice that fuel purified from compressed biogas (CBG) can be used in CNG in the future. Experiments with CBG in cars and autorickshaws have been successful. It will be only half as costly as CNG. When CBG fuel becomes available, the KSRTC will consider installing CNG engines in more diesel buses.

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