Public can use DTC CNG stations

Indraprastha Gas Limited, the sole distributor of CNG in Delhi, has approached DTC to let private vehicles get CNG filled from the stations inside the DTC depots, reports Atul Mathur.

You may soon get your CNG cylinders filled at the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus depots. DTC is exploring the possibility of making CNG filling stations in their depots –– which are presently exclusively for DTC buses –– available to private vehicles as well.

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Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL), the sole distributor of CNG in Delhi, has approached DTC to let private vehicles get CNG filled from the stations inside the DTC depots. Over 2.30 lakh CNG-propelled vehicles get the filling from just 166 filling stations, which include 23 stations that operate from inside the DTC depots.

“Our filling stations generally remain in use in morning hours when the buses leave the depot or in the evening when they come back. We have, in principle, agreed to the proposal to allow private vehicles to use the facility during the daytime. We have written to the Delhi Development Authority for their approval,” Chairman and Managing Director of DTC, Ramesh Negi said.

“The DDA has allotted this land for transport purposes. Using the premises for any other purpose other than what it is meant for has to be approved by the DDA,” he added.

It will help easing out the situation for private vehicles. With the growing number of vehicles, queues at the filling stations have also increased. It takes not less than 15-20 minutes to get CNG filled at most stations.

Since the matter involved CNG, the Supreme Court appointed Environment Protection and Control Authority (EPCA) also reviewed the matter last week. “A committee has now been formed under DDA’s commissioner planning on this issue,” Negi added.