By Sucheta Roy,
Filling up of CNG in tanks has become difficult for vehicle owners in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, as it is just 184 CNG stations in these limits against over 6.5 Lakh vehicles either fully running on CNG or on both CNG and petrol.
According to Pune Transport Office (RTO) this situation has led to a lot of people opting for hybrid vehicles running on CNG – petrol. But for many auto-rickshaw drivers and cabbies, the problem is still significant.
At present, there are around 6, 63,000 vehicles in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad running completely on CNG or with the CNG- petrol option.
As per reports, The Petrol Dealers Association, Pune has pointed out that despite the demand, there are only 184 pumps with the CNG facility in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. Out of these 184 pumps, 124 are owned by MNGL and the rest are owned by Torrent Gas. The Petrol Dealers Association, Pune have requested Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board( PNGRB) for their help to solve this issue, that at least 120 to 150 more stations are needed.
According to MNGL, considering the difficulties, they have planned an amount of increase in the number of CNG stations and is working on multiple fronts.