Question

Read the following statements (I - III) related to CNG and identify the main problem faced by the city of Delhi during switching over the entire fleet of public transport from diesel to CNG.

I. CNG can be easily adulterated.
II. CNG is more expensive.
III. Laying down the pipelines to ensure constant supply of CNG through multiple distribution points.

• A. I
• B. II
• C. I and III
• D. III

Answer 1

The correct option is D III

In the 1990s, Delhi was ranked as the 4th most polluted city out of 41 polluted cities of the world. Under the directives of the Supreme court the Government of Delhi was asked to switch over from the use of diesel to compressed natural gas (CNG) in its entire fleet of public transports (buses).

CNG is an odorless mixture of hydrocarbons (mainly methane) that has been compressed to 1% of its volume under standard atmospheric pressure. The main reason behind the switch was that CNG burns more efficiently than petrol or diesel and releases less smoke and harmful gases into the air.

Other advantages of using CNG are that it is cheaper, cannot be siphoned off for stealing or adulterated. Hence statements I and II are incorrect.

But the main issue faced by the government during this switch over was the setting up of pipelines throughout the city to ensure uninterrupted supply of CNG at multiple outlets. In spite of all hindrances, all the buses in Delhi had started running on CNG at the end of 2002. Hence statement III is correct.

Figure : CNG vs Petrol