LPG revolution in Kerala

Our Corporate Bureau
29 January 2005

Kochi: Automobile consumers in Kerala will soon have access to cheaper LPG fuel as series of LPG bunks being planned in the state by private and public companies. The first-ever LPG dispensing station came up in the State at Cheruvannoor in Kozhikode district about a year ago. It was put up by IC Fuels Pvt. Ltd.

The second one was opened a few days ago at Tiruvalla by Auto Gas Energy India Ltd (AGEIL) a part of the Indian Auto Gas Company Consortium of which the Turkey's Beta Gas Company,
is part of the eight-member consortium. The company is planning to install about 16 such LPG stations in various centres in a year's time. The public sector, Indian Oil Corporation, will foray into LPG outlets with a unit at Thiruvananthapuram by the end of next month.

"Initially we are planning such stations at four locations in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kottayam and Kozhikode. In the next one year we will expand our network to the entire State," says B Ashok, deputy general manager of IOC.

As a substitute to petrol, which costs around Rs41 per litre, AGEIL offers LPG at Rs20 per litre. "Without compromising on the mileage of the vehicle LPG caters to Euro VI standard and is 70 per cent more pollution-free than any other fuel. Besides, it is as safe as any other fuel and has proven its quality as automotive fuel," says Biju Varghese, managing director, AGEIL.

To switchover to LPG fuel, one has to fit a conversion kit, priced between Rs16,000 to Rs23,000, to the petrol-fuelled vehicle. The driver will then have the option of using either fuel.

AGEIL is offering vehicle-conversion facilities at its dispensing stations and has plans to authorise selected workshops in district centres for converting vehicles. "Though only petrol vehicles have the option of converting to LPG, in the near future diesel vehicles would also have this option," Biju said.