Calcutta's 60+ LPG Taxis Will Go Back To Diesel Power - Not Enough NatGas Stations

[hatrack]

An effort launched four years ago to cleanse the city’s air of some of its poison fume has been given a silent burial. The 60-odd LPG-run taxis that hit the road with fanfare in 2005 have all been allowed to switch to diesel apparently because there are not enough refilling stations in the city.

“Not a single LPG taxi now plies in the Calcutta Metropolitan Area,” said an official in the public vehicles department. “A few months ago, the owners of the LPG taxis had asked for permission to switch to diesel as there are not enough refilling stations. All were allowed to convert.”

Back in 2005, the city had just two LPG stations. The figure has since gone up to nine in the city proper and 15 in what is loosely called Greater Calcutta. “Even the few LPG pumps that have been set up do not provide round-the-clock service. Before buying the green taxi I thought the government would take all steps to ensure successful implementation of the project. But I was mistaken,” said Radhanath Shaw, a resident of Milk Colony.

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), however, denied that refilling stations were too few to fuel the green cab fleet. Abhijit Dey, the regional manager (LPG) of IOC, said the existing stations were registering only 50 per cent utilisation.

EDIT

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1091130/jsp/calcutta/story_11784312.jsp

[joshcryer]

1. This is a shame.