Maharashtra Transport Minister and Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation Chairman Pratap Sarnaik has said MSRTC will add 25,000 new buses in the next five years to transition to green fuels to reduce rising fuel expenses and cut emissions. Starting this financial year, almost 20,000 of these buses will be powered by eco-friendly CNG and LNG, while hybrid diesel engines will be employed only when necessary. “We are committed to making ST buses greener and more efficient. Hybrid engines will only be used to ensure uninterrupted service in emergency scenarios,” Sarnaik said during a recent review meeting with fuel suppliers and MSRTC officials. Currently, the majority of MSRTC buses are diesel-driven, which bear a huge fuel expense. A single bus consumes approximately 9.7 lakh litres of diesel every month, which costs the state transport department Rs 340 crore every year. To help reduce this burden and minimise dependency on diesel, the Corporation will shift towards LNG and CNG fuelled buses that not only cost less but are also more efficient. As per officials, diesel buses now have a mileage of about 4 km per litre, whereas CNG and LNG-run buses can travel 5.55 km per litre, and can help save costs considerably in the long run. With a shift to these fuels, MSRTC hopes to cut fuel costs and emissions, particularly on rural and long-distance routes. These fuel stations will be established along with 10 CNG stations throughout Maharashtra in association with Maharashtra Gas Market Limited as part of the plan. Besides, the state has also struck a deal that will give them a 20 per cent discount in the price of LNG fuel courtesy of a partnership with Mahanagar Gas Market Limited, where MSRTC is said to save Rs 351 crore every year. The new buses purchased will be fitted with hybrid engines capable of operating on both LNG and CNG, providing flexibility in operations. "With the infrastructure ready and technical foundation laid, MSRTC will soon have a fleet that's cleaner, cost-effective, and future-proof," Sarnaik added. According to MSRTC officials, the fuel shift will also enhance operational sustainability, providing improved mileage, and reduced emissions without any compromise in service quality.
