The Times of India       24.12.2014  

NMC plans biogas, biodiesel buses

NAGPUR: On the lines of ethanol, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has started the process to launch the nation's first biogas and biodiesel city buses. The two new biofuel buses will also be introduced on pilot basis in line with a concept mooted by city MP and union minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari.

In association with Swedish-bus maker Scania Commercial Vehicles India Limited, NMC has successfully launched the pilot project of ethanol-run bus on August 22. It was the initiative of Gadkari to boost sugar industries, farmers, environment and also to reduce dependency on imported fuels to some extent.

Along similar lines, Gadkari had directed mayor Pravin Datke, municipal commissioner Shyam Wardhane and chairman of city transport committee Sudhir Raut to launch buses run totally on biogas and biodiesel.

"The plan is in very initial stage. The idea is to launch pilot project of all three biofuels — ethanol, biogas and biodiesel. NMC administration has started the process to prepare detailed project report. Experts like Urban Mass Transit Company (UMTC) or any private consultant will be roped in to prepare the report. Funds for procurement of buses is a major issue and talks are going on with the central government. The state government's contribution will also be taken," Datke said.

TOI had highlighted Gadkari's plan to set up a biogas plant at Bhandewadi dumping yard. Gadkari had directed the NMC administration to utilize methane being generated from treatment of solid waste and sewage water to produce the biogas. He had also revealed Scania's plan to set up a biogas plant.

Earlier too Gadkari had many times asked NMC office bearers and officials not to waste methane generated at Bhandewadi dumping yard. He went on to say that NMC office bearers and officials should run official vehicles on biogas generated from the dumping yard.

Scania is manufacturing and also operating buses run on biogas and biodiesel in foreign countries. NMC sources told TOI Scania is likely to bring buses run on biogas and biodiesel on the lines of ethanol. It even had plans to set up a biogas plant near Bengaluru in Karnataka.

Sources added that Wardhane is holding talks with UMTC and ministries of urban development and road transport and highways for launch of biogas and biodiesel buses. "Wardhane went to New Delhi on Tuesday in relation to the proposed project. NMC's City Transport Committee will take up the project once the concept is cleared," the sources said.

The city may hope to see all types of biofuel-run eco-friendly buses in coming days. Gadkari has already assured to approve additional buses to meet the city mobility plan target of 1,200 buses in city bus service. Currently, city bus service comprises 470 buses, of which hardly 210-220 are operational.

The Hindu       04.12.2014 

545 JNNURM buses to hit the road by March-end

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy assessing the progress of work at the JNNURM Bus Depot site in Udupi on Wednesday.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said on Wednesday that 545 city buses under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) would be introduced in many towns of the State by the end of March 2015.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting the KSRTC Bus Deport and construction of JNNURM Bus Depot here, Mr. Reddy said these included 30 city buses each under JNNURM for Udupi and Bhadravati, 35 each for Mangaluru, Bhadravati and Hassan, 50 each for Ramanagaram and Davangere, 65 for Shivamogga, 25 each for Kolar and Kolar Gold Fields, 45 additional buses for Tumakuru, and 125 additional buses for Mysuru.

To another question, he said Rs. 6 crore had been sanctioned for the construction of JNNURM Bus Depot here. The work was expected to be completed by March 2015. Once the depot was ready, city buses under JNNURM would be started here.

Already 40 cents of land belonging to the Department of Public Instruction had been identified for a bus-stand for the JNURUM city buses near the City Bus-stand. Though the department had released Rs. 1.45 crore for the construction of a building on this land, it would be shifted to the Board High School here to make way for the JNNURM Bus-stand.

The KSRTC Bus-stand for Udupi would be constructed on 2 acres and 94 cents of land at Bannanje here. This land belonged to the Public Works Department. Talks were on with the Public Works Department to get the land transferred to the Transport Department. New KSRTC bus-stands would be constructed in all those towns which did not have them in the next two years. The aim was to provide better facilities for passengers.

On two private buses catching fire in the last two days, he said the Transport Department had issued 12 guidelines for the safety of all buses. But in these two cases, the reason for the fire was accident, Mr. Reddy said.

Pramod Madhwaraj, MLA, and P. Yuvaraj, president of the Udupi City Municipal Council, were present.