CNG filling stations
While the government policy is to maximise the use of CNG for motorised transports like buses, trucks, taxis, auto-rickshaws and private cars, the numbers of CNG filling stations are few and far between. Long queues in filling stations for CNG is a major factor discouraging people from CNG conversion of their vehicles!
The reason behind this is the numerous permissions that are needed and the time, effort and red-tape involved in the process. It is unnerving and totally discouraging. Apart from permission from the gas company; which will supply the gas to the CNG filling station; no objection certificates have to be obtained from: (1) Local Council (2) Deputy Commissioner (3) Municipality or City Corporation (4) Roads & Highways Dept.) (5) Dept. of Environment (6) Dept. of Explosives (7) PDB or REB! After all this a final clearance has to be obtained from RPGCL; where all the seven permissions will have to be shown and recorded! Assuming high speed and highly efficient department functions; the minimum possible time will be no less than sixteen weeks; that too if you are fortunate! No wonder if you get frustrated; and withdraw from this "Paper Hurdle Chase" and call it quits in sheer frustration!
Time, patience and repeated "tadbir" at every step and needed "lubrication" as and where needed are par for the course! One wonders why RPGCL alone cannot do all this. They are administratively and technically fully capable of doing it. Should the process not be a one-stop service if necessary with a service fee for inspection, evaluation and other needed steps? The CTG should seriously look into the current procedure; so that paper work and unnecessary frustrations are cut down for prospective investors in the greater interest of maximising CNG use.
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