Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is switching to eco-friendly fuel sources. The corporation is planning to convert 60 percent of its diesel buses to CNG and LNG.

In the first step, CNG kits will be installed in 5 KSRTC buses while 400 buses will be fitted with LNG kits. KSRTC has invited tenders for the same.

Switching to CNG or LNG will require major changes. Fuel injectors, engine pistons and cooling systems will have to be changed. Only CNG and LNG kits approved by the central agencies will be installed in the buses. The process will cost Rs 5 lakh for each bus. Companies taking the contract will also be responsible for undertaking maintenance works also.

KSRTC owns one factory built CNG bus. As such buses require huge investment, the corporation has decided to convert the existing buses to CNG and LNG instead of procuring new vehicles.

The corporation is also planning to start a CNG wholesale dealership in Aanayara from where the fuel will be distributed to other areas.

CNG/LNG conversion

Pros

  • By switching to CNG/LNG Bharat stage 3,4 buses will become as environment friendly as new ones.
  • CNG is cheaper than diesel by around Rs 28

Cons

  • CNG buses require larger fuel tanks. Instead of 1 diesel tank, the buses will require 6 CNG tanks
  • While diesel engines have a lifespan of 12 lakh kilometres, CNG engines only have a lifespan of 4 lakh kms
  • CNG buses are not suited for hilly regions. But LNG buses don’t have such problems and have better travelling range.