The Tamil Nadu State Transport Department has allocated ₹70 crore to retrofit 1,000 government diesel buses, including at least 200 Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) buses in Chennai, with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) kits. This move follows the Union Government’s new regulations on older diesel buses.
Earlier, trial runs for CNG conversions were conducted by transport corporations, including MTC. However, concerns were raised when one of the six test buses in Chennai caught fire at Adyar in July 2024. Transportation activist S. Kamal expressed support for the move but emphasized the need for thorough safety checks. “While transitioning to CNG is a positive step to reduce pollution, authorities must ensure all safety protocols are followed to protect public safety,” he said.
State transport officials, however, downplayed these concerns. They confirmed that the conversion process would be carried out by a recognized private contractor with prior experience in other states. The retrofit will take place over the next year, with the aim of ensuring bus operations remain unaffected. Only approved CNG conversion kits will be used.
The conversion process involves installing CNG cylinders, a fuel injection system, and an electronic control unit (ECU) to regulate gas flow. Additionally, the engine will be modified to run solely on CNG. This transition is expected to significantly reduce emissions. Diesel buses, which cover 73,000 km annually, currently release 197 tonnes of carbon monoxide (CO), 5.8 tonnes of particulate matter (PM), 693 tonnes of nitrogen oxides (NOx), and 94,900 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2). The shift to CNG buses is anticipated to reduce CO by 78%, PM by 88%, NOx by 82%, and CO2 by 35%, making them a cleaner public transport alternative.
However, experts caution that CNG and electric buses are not long-term solutions. Environmental activist K. Arun stated, “While these technologies help reduce emissions, they are not complete solutions. Electric vehicles present challenges in battery disposal, which could lead to soil and water contamination if not properly managed. A more comprehensive approach is necessary to address all environmental impacts for truly sustainable transportation.”
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