Pakistan Fuels Its Enthusiasm for 'Green' Transport

As reported in the local press, some 7000-8000 vehicles in Pakistan are switching to use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) every month, while another 3000 new, factory fitted CNG cars will roll out in coming months. At this rate, the number of CNG powered vehicles will top 1.4 million by the end of the current fiscal year, helping Pakistan zip past Brazil in the number two position, with only Argentina in the lead with over 1.65 million vehicles--and counting--as reported by the International Association of Natural Gas Vehicles (IANGV). These figures are corroborated by the recently released Economic Survey of Pakistan, which notes that the number of CNG vehicles has jumped from 280,000 in 2001 to the current high of nearly 1.4m. The survey also reveals that from a mere 62 filling stations in 1999, there are now over 1400 filling stations in Pakistan. The CNG Station Owners Association claims that investment in the sector exceeds Rs. 46 billion, while the Government places a Rs.60b tag on investment in the sector, leading to creating 60,000 new jobs. With 5,700 more provisional licenses issued by Pakistan's Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), the investment figures and impact on the economy is only headed one way: up.

CNG is widely considered to be a cleaner fuel than petrol and diesel and cheaper to boot. Hence its popularity in developing nations. In fact, the statistics gathered by IANGV make an interesting read: the USA has less than 150,000 CNG vehicles, as compared to 292,000 in Iran and 410,000 in Italy. With all the talk about reducing carbon emissions, hybrid vehicles and environment-friendly public transport, the developed world could take its cue from the developing world. Even in the public transport arena, the South Asian countries in particular are streets ahead, with metropolis like New Delhi--where the Delhi Transport Company runs the world's largest fleet of CNG buses--Karachi, Lahore and Dhaka already promoting and implementing policies that call for a switch to CNG powered public transport systems.

While CNG may not be the perfect green transport solution--in fact it's not 'green' in the strictest sense of the term--till such time as Hydrogen or electric vehicles become commercially available and affordable--and till such time as our developing world urban planning allows us to squeeze in more pedestrian space or cycle tracks, it may be the most practical and environment-friendly option. I am watching with keen interest though, developments in the Philippines, where the electric jeepney project has just hit the road and which may open up new avenues for green public transport systems everywhere.