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Great expectations

IN AN attempt to lower emission levels of vehicles, the Supreme Court has directed the petroleum ministry to study the viability of propane as an alternate fuel and submit, a report by December 9. The ministry said that sufficient supplies of propane are avail- able to run about 75,000 two- and three-wheelers in New Delhi.

The Gas Authority 9@lnclia Ltd can reportedly supply about 700 tonnes of propane daily from January 1, 1997. Propane has several advantages over petrol. A litre of propane would cost Rs 11 compared to Rs 22 for the same amount of petrol. It is less polluting as it contains 80 per cent less sulphur than petrol. However, lack of infrastructure for its distribution is the major stumbling block. The government will have to provide special tankers for the fuel as propane has very high vapour pressure. Special refuelling pumps, convertor kits and cylinders will also have to be made available.

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