CSE invites international experts to assess CNG safety issues and concern and chart out a road map for effective enforcement of safety standards and inspection system

NEW DELHI June 6, 2002: About a year ago Centre for Science and Environment had invited international experts for an independent technical evaluation of CNG bus technology in India. The same experts are back to assess CNG safety issues and concerns, particularly those raised by the series of fires in CNG buses during the last year. We are concerned that the CNG strategy must not earn a bad name because of weak enforcement of rules and regulations and inadequate inspection capacities. This is one of the most important strategies to control the particulate emissions that kill one person per hour in Delhi. After reviewing the safety recommendations from their earlier report of 2001, and the degree to which these have been implemented, they have undertaken a second round of evaluation of the safety-related engineering issues, safety standards and appropriate inspection system for CNG buses in Delhi.

With the recent Supreme Court orders reaffirming the switch of all public transport buses to CNG, the next few months will see a massive entry of CNG buses in Delhi. We are keen that the institutional framework for proper enforcement of safety regulations is in place.

Christopher S. Weaver, President Engine, Fuel, and Emissions Engineering, Inc. Sacramento, California and Lennart Erlandsson, Manager, Air Quality, Motor Test Centre AB, Sweden, who have just completed their study, reaffirmed the conclusion from their last years' assessment of the CNG programme in Delhi in a press conference organized by CSE in Delhi today, "One year ago, we stated that we are unanimous in our view that the principal program elements required to implement the CNG bus program in Delhi appear to be in place, and that this program appears poised for outstanding success. This is an accomplishment of which the world will take notice, and in which the principal agencies and persons involved in the CNG program can rightly take great pride. This program can serve as an outstanding example for other cities and nations of a successful transition to CNG. We here reaffirm that conclusion."

But they noted at the same time, "In any large-scale deployment of new technology, operational difficulties and new safety concerns are likely to occur. Such has been the experience with CNG buses in Delhi. A number of problems have been identified and diagnosed, and many of these are already on the way to solution. Further efforts are needed by all participants."

After extensive consultation with the concerned agencies - bus manufacturers, DTC, ARAI, converting agencies, Burari Inspection Centre, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, state transport authority, IGL and field visits the experts have given their recommendations

on how the enforcement system can be further improved for best results. They have made several recommendations in the areas of institutional framework for coordinated action, inspection requirements to ensure compliance with safety regulations, and training needs for capacity building. Experts assert, "Institutional arrangements need to be put in place to ensure that the remaining safety problems - as well as any that may develop in the future - are effectively identified, diagnosed, and solved, and that these solutions are actually implemented."

Key recommendations