Uttaranchal bets on bio-diesel: The Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) is assisting the Uttaranchal Government in developing and testing bio-diesel to ensure environment-friendly development of the hill state. Testing of bio-diesel and its blends in all types of vehicles is possible at the IIP. The institute had been working for the development, selection and adoption of technology for trans-esterification of oil for the production of bio-diesel, said IIP, Director, Mr Madhukar Onkarnath Garg. Source: Business Line, New Delhi, 12/16/2003

IOC to start field trials of biodiesel: Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) would begin this month field trials of running buses on biodiesel – diesel doped with 5% non-edible oils – IOC director (R&D) NR Raje said. Haryana Roadways buses would be used for the project. About 450 kilolitres of bio-diesel would be used in the pilot project. Mr Raje said vehicles engine would not require any modification for use of bio-diesel. Already automobile manufacturers like Mahindra and Mahindra and Ashok Leyland have endorsed biodiesel as fuel for their vehicles. Meanwhile planning commission has asked states to grow more of Jatropha and Karanjia on wasteland and semi rain fed areas.
Source: The Indian Express, New Delhi, 11/12/2003

Hydrogen/electric
Hydrogen fuel vehicle prototype by 2006, says Naik: The country may develop its first prototype vehicle running on hydrogen fuel in the next three years, according to the petroleum minister, Ram Naik. Associated infrastructure such as hydrogen dispensing units may come up over the next decade. Hydrogen finds favour as a transport fuel since it is clean and efficient. Several international manufacturers have developed hydrogen-powered fuel cells to run automobiles. According to Mr Naik, Indian Oil Corporation Research and Development Centre has started working on the alternative fuel and prototype vehicle is expected in next three years. Meanwhile Planning Commission Deputy Chairman K.C. Pant said India would immensely benefit from a multilateral partnership on hydrogen energy, and countries should work together for the promotion and development of hydrogen as an alternative fuel.
Source: Business Line, 13/12/2003

Battery of Reva superminis set to electrify London roads: Bangalore-based Reva Electric Car Co (RECC) has won a 500-car export order from the UK. The doors to the large European market have been opened following the issuance of the European Economic Community (EEC), certificate for the electric vehicle. The initiative is being taken with its UK based marketing partner, Going Green. Reva falls under the super-mini category in Europe. This year along with the UK order REC is also supplying 24 cars to Malta. Source: The Economic Times, New Delhi, 11/12/2003

Synthetic fuels that have natural appeal: Almost 100 years after Franz Fischer and Hans Tropsch extracted a hydrocarbon stream from coal, the world’s biggest energy companies are pouring billions of dollars into using the same method to get diesel from natural gas. In the past six months South African based Sasol, Royal Dutch Shell, have announced Gas To Liquids (GTL) projects in Qatar worth more than $10 billion. GTL is a process by which methane, natural gas’ main component, is turned into synthetic gas, which is then turned into condensates and waxy synthetic crude before being upgraded to diesel and naphtha. The product contains almost no sulphur, which poisons the tailpipe equipment that reduces diesel’s toxins, or aromatics, potentially carcinogenic toxins.
Source: Business Standard, New Delhi, 10/12/2003

Electronic catalytic converter exported; no takers in India: It is manufactured by Chennai based Hydrodrive Systems And Controls Private Limited. It is used for controlling the exhaust emissions, from all sizes and models of diesel and gasoline engines. It is being currently exported to the Phillippines, China and Bangladesh. Renowned vehicle manufacturers like Isuzu Motors, Mitsubishi Motors, KIA Motors have tested and certified the performance of the unit with their vehicles and engines for both emission reductions and fuel savings in actual driving condition with regular commercial outlet fuels. The highlight of the converter is its ability to reduce diesel smokes by over 70 per cent. Particulate emissions are reduced by over 60 per cent. Ironically steps are yet to be taken to use it in Indian vehicles to reduce pollution. Meanwhile Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board has already certified its efficiency in controlling emissions.
Source: The Hindu, 20/11/2003

Delhi: 1 in 3 trucks violate SC orders in city: One in three trucks on Delhi roads are suspected to be running in violation of a Supreme Court order, which bans entry of trucks that are not carrying goods for Delhi. The result: About 295 people died in the city in 2002 in accidents involving trucks and another 267 died till October 31, this year. R K Parimoo, director, Institute of Driving Training and Research (IDTR), says, most truck-drivers are ill trained. The NCR region has about 3.5 lakh registered commercial vehicle drivers. It was decided a year back that Delhi Police will be responsible for checking the entry of transit vehicles.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi, 24/11/2003

Auto companies on safety trip: The Indian automobile industry is going global in more ways than one. Soon after tagging emission norms to global standards, Auto Inc is now aligning its vehicle safety guidelines with European standards. Stricter safety norms are good news for the Indian consumer, but could have a mixed impact on auto majors. To help manufacturers upgrade, the government vehicle testing authority —Automobile Research Association of India (ARAI) and the industry body —Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), have proposed a phased implementation plan, starting 2005. Seventy European safety norms have been identified as must-achieve targets. In the first phase the manufacturers will be asked to focus on providing better active safety measures, like stronger seat belt anchorages etc. Vehicles will also have to meet stricter noise norms. The second phase would be starting from 2007, which would have stricter guidelines.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi, 24/11/2003

Fazal gives Sky Bus project green signal: Maharashtra Governor Mohammad Fazal gave a clean chit to the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited’s (KRCL’s) Sky Bus project and came down heavily on the Government for taking time to accept the concept. He was on a special visit to Goa to inspect the Sky Bus prototype installed at the Madgaon railway station. The project that was stalled after a great deal of skepticism from different quarters is expected to benefit from the Governor’s visit. The Governor emphasized the need to encourage projects like Sky Bus, which he said is far better than the metro in Paris, Moscow and London. The Maharashtra Government should do away with the initial inertia that is attached with any innovation, Mr Fazal said.
Source: The Pioneer, New Delhi, 16/12/2003

Bangalore: Metro Rail to roll out by 2008: Work on the proposed Bangalore Metro Rail project will start early next year. It will be operational by 2008, said Bangalore Mass Rapid Transit Limited (BMRTL) managing director A.P. Joshi. Speaking at a seminar on Urban Transport Structures, organised jointly by the Bangalore Development Authority and the Indian National Group of International Association for Bridge and Structure Engineering, Joshi said the project would be fully over by 2009. Once the metro rail is operational 1,200 buses would be off the road bringing down pollution and easing traffic congestion. The state government proposed to implement the project on the lines of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, which has done a detailed feasibility study for BMRTL.
Source: The New Indian Express, Bangalore, 13/12/2003

Auto fuel policy paper tabled in Lok Sabha: The National Auto Fuel Policy, which envisages a clear-cut roadmap for improvements in vehicular technology and corresponding fuel quality along with an incremental timetable for compliance was today tabled in the Lok Sabha. It makes it mandatory for all new vehicles to comply with the Bharat II stage pollution norms from April 1, 2005. The policy document tabled today in the Lok Sabha by minister of state for petroleum, Sumitra Mahajan, also make it compulsory for all new vehicles to comply with the equivalent of Euro III norms from April 1, 2010.
Source: The Economic Times, New Delhi, 12/12/2003

Environment tax for Manali visitors: All vehicles entering the popular holiday resort of Manali in Himachal Pradesh will have to pay a heavy environment tax starting April, 2004. The High Court has approved the levy on all vehicles entering Manali except those registered in Himachal Pradesh. The tax would be Rs 100 on two-wheelers, Rs 200 on cars and Rs 300 and Rs 500 for medium and heavy vehicles. The court passed the order over the weekend on a high-level report submitted by a committee constituted to give suggestions on making the tourist hill station free of pollution that rises due to the large-scale arrival of vehicles from outside.
Source: The Pioneer, New Delhi, 03/12/2003

Surat: GPCB forms panel to monitor air quality: After many a complaint from general public over foul and pungent smell in certain areas of Surat city of Gujarat, experts from the Gujarat Pollution Control Board and representatives of Hazira-based industries have been asked to monitor the air quality. A core committee has been formed to look into the matter on a regular basis, informed Surat in-charge collector J B Vora. Ambient air quality monitoring stations would be collecting samples of the air at regular interval round the clock.
Source: The Times of India, Ahmedabad, 19/11/2003

Bangalore: Students raise voice against air pollution: It seemed that Malleshwaram was being rocked as numerous placards and loud slogans by school children condemning air pollution caused by vehicles rent the air at Malleshwaram grounds. Around 2,000-2,500 students from 19 schools participated in the drive initiated by the Yeshwantpur RTO against air pollution. Three street plays themed on the ill –effects of air pollution, were also staged near Malleshwaram Circle, CET Cell and 11^th Cross.
Source: Deccan Herald, Bangalore, 16/11/2003

Supreme Court notice to Centre on fuel adulteration expose: Expressing shock and dismay over the expose made by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on fuel adulteration, the Supreme Court has converted it into a petition and issued notice to the Union Government. The exposure made in a magazine, Down To Earth was brought to the notice of a three-judged bench comprising the Chief Justice V N Khare, Justice Sabharwal, and Justice Arijit by Harish Salve, amicus curiae. The Bench said the findings were nothing less than shocking, since the court had always been given to believe that tankers transporting fuel in the country were tamper-proof.
Source: The Hindu, New Delhi, 27/11/2003

Surat: Crackdown on vehicles using 'mixed fuel': The district supply office has decided to come down heavily on vehicles in Surat city of Gujarat who use a 'mix' of kerosene and petrol or diesel for fuel. The step has been taken after several complaints were received in this regard, said the district supply officer (DSO) R G Gohil. Vehicular emission from such a 'mixed' fuel proved to be hazardous for human health along with an increased pollution level. It also helped illegal sale of kerosene oil to thrive in the city, he said. The city has over 8 lakh vehicles, which includes around 40,000 three-wheelers. Majority of the auto rickshaws and also other vehicles procured kerosene from unauthorized vendors to mix it in their fuel.
Source: The Times of India, Ahmedabad, 30/11/2003

Sonepat: Drive launched to check sale of adulterated petroleum: The district administration has launched a special weeklong campaign to check the sale of adulterated petrol, diesel and other petroleum products at the filling stations in this city and other parts of the district. This was done following lot of complaints from the public about the sale of adulterated petrol, diesel, and other petroleum products. Earlier it was reported that most of the filling stations in this city and its adjoining areas are allegedly selling adulterated petrol and diesel due to failure of the authorities to check the mal practice. It is alleged that about 90 per cent of the petrol pump owners are allegedly involved in this malpractice.
Source: The Tribune, New Delhi, 09/12/2003 and The Tribune, 01/12/2003

Faridabad: Row over test reports of petrol: The registration of cases by the district authorities against seven petrol pumps owners here for alleged adulteration and the ongoing examination of test reports of petrol samples seems to have snowballed into a major controversy, dragging both the state government and the Union Minister for Petroleum into it. Claiming misinterpretation of test reports, the Haryana Petrol Pump Dealers Association said the parameters of testing ethanol mixed petrol allowed vapour test limit up to 75 per cent. The laboratory experts had later admitted that limits for ethanol mixed petrol had been up to 75 per cent. The samples had earlier failed due to vapour test limit of 70 and 71 per cent. Owners of the petrol pumps here (Faridabad) had gone on strike on November 25 against the registration of cases.
Source: The Tribune, New Delhi, 02/12/2003

Petrol depot raided, adulterants seized: The anti-adulteration cell of the Union Petroleum Ministry has sealed a petroleum depot at Naraina in west Delhi which allegedly stored adulterants. According to the cell’s Northern Region Director Sandeep Garg, about 70,000 litres of adulterants including blue-dyed kerosene and mineral turpentine oil were being stored illegally. A resident of Punjabi Bagh is running the depot and officials say the man will be prosecuted. Officials of the raiding team said the depot had no safety measures in place.
Source: The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, 12/12/2003

Sri Lanka: Counterproductive budget direction on cars - CMTA: The Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association (CMTA), whilst welcoming the budget direction encouraging all Sri Lankans access to motorcars at a lower price and to protect the environment from vehicle emissions, observed that the measures are counter productive. The CMTA said that the decision to extend the age of a used car from three years to three and half years will definitely encourage the importation of cars from Japanese junk yards. This is expected t have serious impact on the environment at a time when the government is actively involved in campaign on the importance of having clean environment free of emissions. The CMTA proposes that in order to encourage Sri Lankans to own brand new cars, the government should waive the 10% surcharge on duty, which would invariably lower the price of new motorcars.
Source: The Island (Internet), Sri Lanka, 27/11/2003

Pakistan: Safety rules urged for CNG stations: Speakers at a meeting urged the government to formulate safety regulations regarding the CNG filling stations and also ensure these were being followed strictly to avoid hazard to public. Speaking at a meeting, organized by the Defence Associations Coordination Committee (DACC), following the recent blast at a CNG filling station, comprising various residents’ associations, they said that a countrywide awareness campaign also be launched to inform the CNG station operators, and people in general, what to do in case of gas leak. CNG is widely used in the transport sector in the country. The country has got third highest number of CNG run vehicles in the world.
Source: Dawn (Internet), Pakistan, 07/12/2003

Pakistan: Need to control air pollution in Capital: In the wake of rising air pollution level in Islamabad, (Pakistan) the need to initiate multi-pronged action and on ground measures has increased manifold. With Environment Ministry and the traffic police having a major role to play, it is also needed that they make collaborated challenges. PAK-EPA and traffic police have been collaborating in the past to control pollution by taking action against the smoke emitting vehicles, but during recent years, no major development was seen. The Ministry of Environment has an Rs 1 billion project to install air and water monitoring system across the country with the help of the Government of Japan. But, as the project has not yet been approved, there is no comprehensive system in the country for continuous monitoring of the pollution level.
Source: The Nation (Internet), Pakistan, 17/12/2003

Bangladesh: Decision to free city from air pollution may lose way: Government decision to free city air from noxious motor exhausts may lose way in bureaucracy and inherent procedural delays if not guided by policy firmness and strong political will. Despite a complete ban, import of two-stroke auto-rickshaw engines is still going on in an unholy nexus between importers and related government agencies. Not enough conversion has taken place in Bangladesh. Lack of adequate CNG filling stations and poor post conversion services are cited as common pleas for the low rate.
Source: The Bangladesh Observer, 03/12/2003

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