Pune: Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) is set to revolutionize its operations by transitioning from diesel to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
A significant agreement has been reached with King 11 Gas Company from Qatar to convert 5,000 diesel buses to LNG-powered vehicles.
In the initial phase, LNG pumps will be installed at 90 depots across Maharashtra, including the Indapur depot in the Pune division.
Construction of the LNG pumps is expected to commence within the next two months, following which around 60 LNG-converted buses will be operational in the Pune division.
This strategic move aims to substantially cut down the fuel costs incurred by the STC, which spends crores annually on diesel. The administration has previously initiated the use of e-buses and CNG vehicles to mitigate these expenses.
The transition to LNG represents a first for the STC, which has been exploring alternative fuels to enhance efficiency and reduce operational costs.
The process of installing 90 LNG pumps will unfold in various stages, with the complete conversion of diesel buses projected to take around six months.
The financial investment for converting a single diesel bus to LNG is approximately ₹19 lakh, a cost that will be covered by the state government.
The installation of pumps will be the responsibility of King 11 Gas Company.
Due to the need for substantial space and specific technical requirements, the only LNG pump in the Pune division will be located at the Indapur depot, with larger depots like Swargate not having this facility available.
Switching to LNG is expected to yield significant environmental benefits as well. LNG prices are at least ₹7 lower than diesel, leading to anticipated annual savings of around ₹234 crores for the STC.
A diesel bus currently runs 4 to 4.5 kilometers per liter, while an LNG bus is projected to achieve approximately 5.5 kilometers per kilogram.
The first LNG pump will be set up at Indapur, marking a significant milestone for the region. However, the operational rollout is still several months away, as stated by Pramod Nehul, the Pune Divisional Controller of State Transport Corporation.
