[sustran] cng buses for Delhi

[Ananthakrishnan]

Two items of interest from India:

The Government of the National Capital, New Delhi, has placed an order for
1000 CNG buses to be supplied by Ashok Leyland, by next year.

The Chief Minister of Delhi, Ms.Shiela Dikshit spoke to the press after
launching the first CNG autorickshaws (three wheeled public service
vehicles).

The second major heavy vehicle manufacturer in India, TELCO (Tata group) had
"almost opted out of the race", Ms.Dikshit said.

The State Government wanted to replace 10,000 Delhi Transport Corporation
buses with CNG buses by 2001, but one manufacturer would not be able to meet
the demand. A global tender had therefore been floated for CNG engines for
buses.

In another development, Bajaj auto, manufacturing the three wheeled
autorickshaws, announced that it would stop production of its two-stroke
model, as it had developed a less polluting four stroke engine.

Company chairman Mr.Rahul Bajaj released a four stroke CNG autorickshaw in
Delhi.
The vehicle is claimed to deliver 50 km per kg of CNG.  A three litre
standby petrol tank is also included, for emergencies.  Bajaj hopes to
produce the vehicle at the rate of 1000 a month by July at its Pune plant.

(condensed from Press Trust of India stories).


G.Ananthakrishnan, Chennai-based journalist can be reached at Tel: + 91 44
8413942 , Fax: + 91 44 8415395.