Assam will have 10 methanol-run buses: Gadkari

GUWAHATI: Union minister of road transport and highways, Nitin Gadkari said that his ministry has decided to provide 10 methanol-run buses for public transportation in Assam.
During a review meeting with state industries and commerce minister Chandra Mohan Patowary in New Delhi on Wednesday, Gadkari said that the methanol-run buses will initially ply as a pilot project in the state and Assam Petrochemicals Limited (APL) will supply the methanol for the new buses.

The meeting was on implementing methanol-based economy and discussed ways to increase its production in the country as an alternative fuel to petroleum products and diesel.

Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan and union minister of chemicals and fertilizers Ananth Kumar were also present at the meeting.

Gadkari also decided to run inland water transport vessels on methanol supplied by APL, a public sector unit, in the state.

Supporting the decision to use methanol fuel, Patowary has asked Gadkari for enhancement of gas allocation for APL. He also requested Pradhan to increase the production of natural gas in the state.

APL is currently implementing a project for enhancing production of methanol from 125 ton per day to 500 ton per day.