Converting 52,000 Rickshaws To CNG

Karachi will be adopting an open policy in transportation. In view of the policy, the Ministry of Transport will be inviting over 14 CNG auto-rickshaw manufacturers from Sindh to convert 52,000 2-stroke petrol-operated rickshaws to 4-stroke CNG rickshaws.

But not everyone is pleased with the policy. Why? This is because most rickshaw drivers cannot afford new engines. It was reported earlier that Hafiz-ul-Haq Hasanzai, president of All Karachi Rickshaw, Taxi and Yellow Cab Association, had tried to obtain permission from the Ministry of Transport to convert over 100,000 2-stroke rickshaws in Sindh.

Sources told Daily Times that the Sindh transport, labor, industry and commerce department’s secretary, Rasool Bux Phulpoto, has invited all the major CNG rickshaw manufacturers to take up the task of supplying CNG engines. A meeting is set to take place today at the Sindh Secretariat office.

According to an officer in the Ministry of Transport the decision is being taken in order to prevent the emergence of a monopoly for the conversion process. The said decision was triggered by the escalating environmental pollution is the main issue that needs to be addressed. “Anyone who can come forward with a better plan for CNG conversion will be asked to do the job,” he said. But, if the manufacturers fail to take up the task, then, the Ministry of Transport will invite everyone who can perform the conversion through advertisements.

Rickshaw owners, on the other hand, told the news authority that although the open conversion policy seems like it benefits the owners of two-stroke petrol-operated rickshaws, most of them cannot afford the cost of the engines and expenses required for CNG conversion. Most rickshaws were acquired on installment basis and many have already paid off.

In November last year, Hasanzai had presented a CNG-converted rickshaw to the transport authorities. It was thoroughly examined by motor-vehicle inspector Manzar on orders from DIG Traffic Wajid Ali Durrani. Manzar had passed the rickshaw commenting that it was fit from all aspects. But, the rickshaw that was passed had an Indian-made CNG engine, which the transport authority objected to for reasons such as smuggling, the issue of which is out the jurisdiction of transport authorities.

The 2-stroke auto rickshaws were scheduled to be phased out by June 30 last year. But Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, former Sindh chief minister, had extended the date until 2010. At present, the endorsement of the High Court regarding the matter is expected. Perhaps, the efficiency of a fuel injector is necessary to make things a bit speedy.