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It has been decided to divert the natural gas being supplied to MCF through the GAIL gas pipeline for vehicular use in Mangaluru. At present, though gas is being supplied to MCF by pipeline, natural gas is temporarily being distributed by transporting CNG from Bengaluru in lorries due to the non-completion of CNG station work at Baikampady.
CNG stations are opened in 5 petrol bunks in the city. But, this CNG supply is not enough for catering to the demand from more than 800 CNG-based vehicles in the city leading to problems.
CNG is supplied by lorries from Bengaluru to petrol bunks at Kavoor, Mulki, Hosabettu, Haleyangadi, and Adyar petrol bunks within Mangaluru limits. The gas is being brought in four HCV vehicles (750 kg each) and three LCV vehicles (400 kg each). However, the gas being transported is also used as fuel for the lorries transporting it and by the time a vehicle carrying about 400 kg CNG from Bengaluru reaches the Mangaluru petrol bunk only about 250 kg is left for sale. If this leftover CNG is filled for the heavy vehicles from other districts, local rickshaws and cars won’t get any CNG at all!
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As petrol prices skyrocket, many are opting to fit their vehicles with CNG kits. Several vehicle owners in the city, which include goods lorries, rickshaws, private/tourist cars, have now switched to CNG. In addition, CNG-based cars available commercially have led to an increase in their numbers. Currently, people have to wait in kilometres-long queues for hours at the 5 filling stations operational in the city.
“Meeting next week”
Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner Dr Rajendra KV informed that the administration has received complaints about the inconvenience caused to customers due to the non-availability of CNG in Mangaluru. “Therefore, a special meeting will be held next week with CNG suppliers and GAIL officials and appropriate action will be taken,” he assured.
Long wait for CNG
Haikadi Srinath Rao, President of DK CNG Consumers Association expressed his disappointment at the present situation. “Vehicles in the city are increasing. But CNG is in short supply. Consumers have to wait in front of a few pumps for hours. Therefore, GAIL’s CNG plant at Panambur has to be completed at the earliest. Only then can CNG supply increase,” he opined.
(Original article in Kannada by Dinesh Ira. English translation by Deepak Lasrado)