Southern States - Tamil Nadu-Chennai

MTC can go in for emission-free technologies: experts

By Akila Dinakar

CHENNAI May 28. The advertisement boards highlighting the ills of air pollution hosted by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) placed behind the tailpipe of the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) bus spewing thick black smoke never go unnoticed by motorist travelling near the buses. In the context of combating emissions, environmentalists and transport analysts alike wonder why the Government cannot go in for alternative emission-free technologies at least for the purchase of the proposed fleet.

A report on Making Better Transportation Choices in State of the World 2001 published by The Worldwatch Institute, points out that ``leaving bus and rail networks to disintegrate and focussing instead on a new generation of roads and highways, governments could build themselves into a corner''.

When most developed countries are going in for alternative fuel technologies like LPG, CNG and Hydrogen Fuel Cell for their public transport, experts doubt the wisdom behind the decision to invest on the same high-polluting diesel buses.

While MTC officials were not available for comment on the emission control norms of the buses in operation and those that are going to be purchased, experts suggest that at least for future investment the MTC can go in for adopting conversion to LPG as was being done in London, The Netherlands and the Mexico City. Some cities have announced that they will no longer purchase diesel vehicles while Iceland has given itself a 40-year period to convert its buses to fuel cell.

Sources said while New Delhi was going in for CNG, the proximity of a sea port was conducive for Chennai to adopt LPG as its fuel for public transport. While the TNPCB is working towards conversion of autorickshaws to LPG dispensed from filling stations, the ubiquitous call taxis and other four-wheelers are operating with LPG kits without official ratification for the conversion system.

To counter the problem of automobile pollution in commercial areas like T. Nagar, where the Particulate Matter (PM) and Respirable Dust Particles (RDP) are very high, Chennai could follow the example of European cities which ban private cars. But sources also cautioned that the ban would be effective only if the public transport systems were enhanced.

While the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) study on High Capacity Mass Rapid Transit Systems for the Anna Salai corridor had suggested 10 years ago, light and rapid rail road systems to eliminate problems of air and noise pollution, the report has been put on the backburner, the city is today facing the critical situation in terms of air and noise pollution projected in the report.

In The Netherlands, conversion of seven-year old buses to LPG has brought about a reduction of automobile emissions, noise and vibration levels in buses, sources said adding that ``the most polluting older buses are subject to LPG conversion. It is more economic when vehicles are younger''. LPG has proved more powerful than diesel as an alternative fuel for public transport.

Arguing against CNG options for Chennai, sources said the storage volume for LPG was twice as much as for diesel and CNG required six times more, covering the same mileage. Transport analysts said ``although the investment is higher than for a normal diesel engine remanufacture, the major advantage besides low emissions is that there is no need to invest in sound encapsulation around the engine for noise reduction''.

Countering the oft-repeated safety questions revolving on use of LPG for buses, sources said the technology had been tested with 4 million vehicles in 30 countries which are running their public and intercity transport buses, garbage trucks, transport trucks.

Comparative tests showed that CNG provided a lower vehicle range and required much heavier fuel tanks to cope with enormous storage pressure.

``LPG engines have no acceleration smoke or unpleasant diesel smells and reduced noise levels. The cost per kilometre is lower and they rival diesel engines in reliability and serviceability, making it perfect for urban and inter-urban transport'', a report on the superiority of LPG over other fuels said. Although initial investments were high, the costs during the operational life of the vehicle were proved to be low.

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