India launched a first of its kind pilot project in the country to run a two wheeler on CNG.


New Delhi (Sputnik) — The Indian government launched an ambitious program to curb rising air pollution in its cities. The first of its kind project named 'Hawa Badlo' involves 50 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) retrofitted two wheelers (scooters and motor bikes). Hawa Badlo in hindi means 'clean the air.'


Member of Parliament Meenakshi Lekhi says, the "pilot project is a sign of growing India-Iran cooperation, as the Iranian kits have been used for retro-fitment."

The scooters are being retrofitted with a CNG kit manufactured by M/s Ituk Manufacturing India Pvt. Ltd in partnership with an Iran based company where the project to install CNG kits in 0.4 million two wheelers is underway.

The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas in a statement says, "Hydrocarbon emissions from CNG retrofitted two wheelers are 75% less and CO emissions are 20% less as compared to petrol driven similar models."

The Center for Science & Environment study says two wheelers are responsible for one-third of vehicular pollution in Delhi.

The CNG kit for two wheelers comprises two CNG cylinders of 4.8 liters of water capacity each, which can be filled with up to 1 kg of CNG in each cylinder. These CNG retrofitted two wheelers can drive up to 120 kms in a single fill and are expected to be substantially economical as compared to a similar petrol run vehicle at the current level of prices.

By Sputnik