The commissioning of the Kochi-Mangaluru liquefied natural gas (LNG) pipeline in January and the opening of six CNG distribution stations in February is yet to increase the use of cleaner, greener and cheaper fuels in Mangaluru in the absence of adequate supplies.
On January 5, 2021, while commissioning the 450 km long LNG pipeline, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that the pipeline would usher in a new growth in the automobile, industrial and domestic fronts. Nine months after commissioning, the availability of compressed natural gas for vehicles has been limited to a very small number of vehicles.
Yashwant Qadri, who is associated with the road transport sector, said he would see long queues of CNG-run vehicles for fuel at the Kavoor dispensing station throughout the day. He said that many goods vehicles from Bengaluru and other areas running on CNG wait for filling at the station.
The Dakshina Kannada District CNG Consumers’ Association recently expressed concern over the short supply of fuel and said that the prices of diesel and petrol are witnessing a serious shortfall after the steep hike. While many new factory-fitted CNG vehicles are on the road, many others have opted for retro-fitting of CNG tanks to increase mileage as well as save on the cost of operation. However, short supply of fuel has been a deterrent, it said.
Sources in GAIL Gas Ltd, an authorized distributor of LNG and CNG in Dakshina Kannada district, said the COVID-19 lockdown has slowed down the laying of distribution pipes from pumping stations at Arkula and MCF. Though CNG is being brought in from Bengaluru through tankers, some distribution outlets are yet to receive additional power supply (35 kW) from Mangalore Electricity Supply Company (MESCOM), sources said.
Sources said a master supply station to be built at Baikampadi is likely to be commissioned in a few months and the situation may improve.
However, Mescom officials said that there is no shortage of energy to be supplied to the fuel distribution stations. “We provide additional supply on demand and on payment of required deposit,” said a senior engineer from the power distributor.