SparklingCrescent
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan leaves behind Argentina to top the countries running the highest number of vehicles on compressed natural gas (CNG) and also having the highest number of CNG refuelling stations.
Already, the government, in its Economic Survey 2009-10, has noted that Pakistan has topped the list of countries where the highest number of vehicles are being run on CNG. However, experts believe the trend may receive a setback after a massive hike in the CNG charges, announced by the government in the budget for 2010-11, presented on Saturday.
The International Association of Natural Gas Vehicles (IANGV), in its study, has noted that Pakistan has the worlds highest number of CNG-run vehicles, leaving behind Argentina and Brazil, which led this phenomenon for many years.
A senior official at the Ministry of Environment welcomed the healthy trend in the wake of alarming pollution levels in many major cities in recent years, using POL products other than CNG.
The increase in CNG rate is not my subject but, of course, this may discourage its use to a great extent, he said in response to a question about unexpected hike in its price. The survey said by end of 2009, the number of CNG-run vehicles had gone up to over 2.4 million, whereas the number of CNG stations stood at 3,105.
The total number of vehicles, excluding hundreds of thousands of rickshaws and motorbikes, across Pakistan is now 5.67 million. Despite the fact that almost half of the vehicles are being run on CNG, air pollution continues to be a major concern. Lahore leads as the most polluted city, followed by Islamabad, the only properly planned city. Peshawar stands at No 3 regarding air pollution while Karachi comes at No 04, the survey pointed out.
Soaring prices of both petrol and diesel, which are amongst the highest in the region, left many people with no other option but to opt for CNG and in less than two years, the number of CNG-fitted vehicles jumped to over 2.47 million, which according to IANGV was 2 million in December 2008.
Already, the government, in its Economic Survey 2009-10, has noted that Pakistan has topped the list of countries where the highest number of vehicles are being run on CNG. However, experts believe the trend may receive a setback after a massive hike in the CNG charges, announced by the government in the budget for 2010-11, presented on Saturday.
The International Association of Natural Gas Vehicles (IANGV), in its study, has noted that Pakistan has the worlds highest number of CNG-run vehicles, leaving behind Argentina and Brazil, which led this phenomenon for many years.
A senior official at the Ministry of Environment welcomed the healthy trend in the wake of alarming pollution levels in many major cities in recent years, using POL products other than CNG.
The increase in CNG rate is not my subject but, of course, this may discourage its use to a great extent, he said in response to a question about unexpected hike in its price. The survey said by end of 2009, the number of CNG-run vehicles had gone up to over 2.4 million, whereas the number of CNG stations stood at 3,105.
The total number of vehicles, excluding hundreds of thousands of rickshaws and motorbikes, across Pakistan is now 5.67 million. Despite the fact that almost half of the vehicles are being run on CNG, air pollution continues to be a major concern. Lahore leads as the most polluted city, followed by Islamabad, the only properly planned city. Peshawar stands at No 3 regarding air pollution while Karachi comes at No 04, the survey pointed out.
Soaring prices of both petrol and diesel, which are amongst the highest in the region, left many people with no other option but to opt for CNG and in less than two years, the number of CNG-fitted vehicles jumped to over 2.47 million, which according to IANGV was 2 million in December 2008.