Thiruvananthapuram : Environment pollution and organic elements, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals and carcinogens, present in the air from industrial and vehicular emissions are a very real concern of modern times.

A major step towards a cleaner environment was taken in Kerala recently with the introduction of the country’s first LNG bus in Thiruvananthpuram. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, along with Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan, flagged off the Tata Marcopolo bus.

The venture was undertaken with support from Petronet LNG and the Indian Oil Corporation and has been introduced after years of research in the field of vehicular pollution control. The LNG buses work on the same technology as CNG buses, but cost Rs 5 lakhs more, which will tentatively be set off by the low price of LNG fuel. The tank comes with a capacity of 420 litres and a one-time filling can be used to cover a distance of 600 km.

The state plans to convert all its state-owned transport buses into LNG in five years.

The ‘green’ traffic need not be restricted to Kerala. Ashok Leyland has also introduced its first electric bus suited to ply on Indian roads at a speed of 75 km per hour.