TN to launch trial of LNG buses in Chennai, aims to cut fuel costs

TAMIL NADU transport department is set to launch the trial of two buses powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in Chennai soon.

- B ANBUSELVAN

The Villupuram division of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) will introduce one bus on a mofussil route and the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) will deploy another on a city route.

If the trial is successful, the project can be expanded enabling the eight cash-strapped transport corporations to cut fuel expenses compared to conventional diesel buses while offering commuters more comfortable travel.

Following approval from the state government, TNSTC (Villupuram) and MTC have been allocated one bus each for conversion from diesel to LNG.

Official sources told TNIE the conversion of buses to LNG is currently underway in Villupuram and Chennai. "Our current target for diesel mileage is 5.7km per litre, but we have achieved around 5.68km so far.