LPG-fuelled autos introduced sans permit
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 20 2019: Auto-rickshaws fuelled by LPG rather than the conventional fuel (petrol and diesel) have been introduced in the State capital.

The particular type of auto is manufactured by TVS company and its Imphal dealer is M/S Miracle Motors.

Already around 10 autos fuelled by LPG are transporting passengers at Imphal.

LPG-fuelled autos have been already introduced in most States of the country.

Even though similar autos have been introduced in Manipur too, there is no LPG refilling station for this type of autos in the State.

LPG-fuelled autos introduced sans permit

In the absence of any LPG auto fuel filling pump, drivers or owners of this type of autos have been refilling the vehicles with LPG in unauthorised manner.

Refilling autos with LPG without adhering to standard safety norms is very risky.

One driver of LPG-fuelled-auto said that there are three persons who can refill autos with LPG.

He said that he takes LPG refill from his home and refilling the auto is done at the home of one of the three persons he must contact in advance.

Of the three persons he has to contact for refilling LPG in autos, one is a resident of Nagamapal while the other two are residents of Khurai.

On the other hand, most of the LPG-fuelled autos are purchased with loans provided by Lamjingba Finance.

During the past two months or so, around ten LPG-fuelled autos have been purchased on loan.

But none of these vehicles have been given RC books till date, said the driver.

One Transport Department official told The Sangai Express that they have received information about some people operating LPG-fuelled autos at Imphal.

However, Transport Department has not yet issued any permit to operate this type of autos in the State.

Moreover, it requires prior identification of authorised refilling stations.

LPG-fuelled autos are operating illegally and as such, drivers/owners of these autos would face penalty if they are caught, said the official.

Refilling LPG-fuelled autos without adhering to standard safety norms is very risky.

There have been cases of large scale destruction caused by infernos which originated from LPG, pointed out the official.

One official of Indian Oil Corporation Limited said that LPG pumps can be installed at oil pumps as done in other States.

As of now, there is not a single LPG fuel pump in the State.

LPG fuel pumps may be introduced at some selected oil pumps.

Just like there are underground tanks for petrol, diesel and kerosene at oil pumps, there should be underground tank for LPG too.

Once an oil pump has separate underground tank for LPG, a separate dispensing unit must be installed to refill autos with LPG, said the IOCL official.