Plan to set up CNG stations on Una-Manali route

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 19

The Himachal Government is exploring the possibility of having CNG stations all along the route from Una to Manali so that not just the buses plying to Rohtang are run on the eco-friendly fuel but other commercial vehicles also have the option to switch to CNG.

A proposal to this effect has already been discussed with the Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) under the Union Ministry of Petroleum and submitted before the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

Land has already been identified both at Tahliwal in Una and at Manali for the setting up of the Mother and Daughter CNG stations, respectively. Now efforts are on to have more CNG stations along the route in Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Mandi and Kullu districts with an eye on future options of having eco-friendly vehicles in the entire state.

Himachal has already expressed its inability to spend a sum of Rs 17.43 crore required for the setting up of the two CNG stations. “Since the CNG buses between Manali-Rohtang will only run for a little over six months, we are of the opinion that why not set up CNG stations on the entire stretch between Una and Manali and start commercial sale of CNG so as to encourage people to switch to CNG is it is available,” said an official of the Transport Department.

However, the plying of the CNG buses might not begin till the next tourist season in April-May as providing g CNG supply remains a big issue. “With money being a major constraint, it is only if the NGT directs the Centre to provide the Rs 17.43 crore for the setting up of the CNG stations that these buses could be run here,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Himachal Roadways Transport Corporation (HRTC) too has floated the Request for Proposal for the purchase of 25 battery operated electric vehicles last week. “The 25 electric buses will be exclusively run on the Manali-Rohtang route as per the directives of the NGT and the last date for seeding in the proposals is June 30 July, 2016” said Ashok Tiwari, Managing Director, HRTC.

As per the specifications for these battery operated passenger transport vehicles (electric), these vehicles must be built in India and the interested firms must have had an annual average turnover of Rs 100 crore in the last three financial years. The prototype vehicle will have to be put on trial for operation between the 51 km Manali-Rohtang stretch and it is only after successful run of the vehicle, the bidder shall be considered.

The Centre will be providing 75 per cent funding for the vehicle while Himachal will bear 25 per cent of the cost. The electric buses are likely to cost over Rs 1.50 crore and trials in Baddi, Kandaghat and Shimla had been done to assess their suitability for the hilly terrain.