CNG-based transport in five years
Good news for Karachiites. Finally a project which really has anything to do with benefiting general public which shows we still have few sensible heads in capital. Most of us complain about public transport but its time to commend. Took a long waiting but finally came. Summary :
500-600 CNG buses will hit Karachi roads early next financial year, followed by Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and Rawalpindi-Islamabad.
The government will provide Rs5 billion to partially offset interest costs of loans companies may need from banks to put in place the required infrastructure and purchase buses.
Credit DAWN
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) may be a better alternative than petroleum or diesel. But it is still not sustainable. The government/private sector also needs to look into “Fuel Cell” technology and “E-Flex” fuels. E85 & E100 Ethanol must also be explored.
Pakistan was one of the largest exporters of ethanol until EU cancelled our contract on Indian advice. (That is my personal opinion) But we must regain our leadership in Ethanol production with improved quality. Currently Brazil is the largest producer. We are one of the fastest developing nation in the world, we will need much more energy in near future. We must explore alternative energy resources and increase the urgencies.
The promise of thousands of CNG buses has been made in past by different government but never materialized. Perhaps the transport mafia is more powerful than al-qaida whom our government can dismantle. A transport system with schedules will remain a dream as long as government and bureaucracy have utmost corrupt persons and you know there are not going anywhere so continue dreaming!
” We are one of the fastest developing nation in the world ”
O Wow, when did that happen ?
Great surprise
MB, actually we do have one of the fastest growing economies in the world. At least that is whats the 6.5% real growth rate (2006) suggests. Its not in the top 10 but its not too far below.
Government launched E10 gasoline pilot project in Sep 06. i never heard anything abt it after that. it was a six months pilot project and PSO was supposed to evaluate the performance of the vehicles using it, customer response and feedback. what happened to it? any updates?
…. I still miss those big, spacious, air-conditioned, clean, Green bus which was on our roads for some time … in various Green shades and then disappeared.
Guess it was also the CNG bus scheme under the mass-transport program of our local government.
Do any one have a clue how long the CNG reserves in Pakistan will last for?
I have heard that probably next 10-15 years.
I have heard the same but are you planning to leave then?
lolz, kidding
@ MB:
There could be thousand other reasons to leave,
but can we??
Lolz, not kidding.
18 years and no more CNG :d