All Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses will be fuelled by compressed natural gas (CNG) in the next five years, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said.
He was speaking after inaugurating the fourth conference of the Group of Ministers holding Transport portfolio and launching the first LNG-driven bus of the country along with Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan at the Mascot convention centre here on Tuesday. Mr. Vijayan said passenger amenities would be improved at KSRTC bus stands as part of the efforts to make the State transport undertaking profitable.
The Chief Minister said the State was also looking forward to electric cars, e-auto, and battery-powered vehicles to contain automotive pollution. Water transport would get priority and the government was for seamless integration of road and water transport using the inland waterways, he said.
In his address, Mr. Pradhan said Kerala had a very important role to play in the development of the hydrocarbon sector. The Union Petroleum Minister sought the help of the State to complete the pipeline work so that LNG could be provided at all places. “It is cheaper than diesel and will change the landscape and economy. It is a game changer,” he said.
Later, at a meeting with Chief Minister, Mr. Pradhan sought assistance from the State for the development of the petroleum sector. The State’s assistance was sought for GAIL to expedite the laying of Kochi- Koottanad- Bengaluru- Mangaluru pipeline.
