PESHAWAR, Oct 18: An experimental installation of CNG (compressed natural gas) kits in two-stroke rickshaws by the environment protection agency (EPA), NWFP, has proved successful both environmentally and economically.

A pilot project, under which compressed natural gas kits in 20 two-stroke rickshaws had been installed on experimental basis, showed positive results, said Liaqat Khan, assistant director of the EPA.

The project, launched in June 2004, with a cost of Rs700,000 million, was aimed at controlling air and noise pollution, Mr Liaqat added.

"Our aim was to check whether the CNG kit can be installed in two-stroke rickshaws, which are the major source of noise and air pollution in the city," he said.

There are around 10,000 to 12,000 rickshaws in Peshawar and majority of them had two-stroke-engine which could not be converted into CNG, he said.

The two-stroke engine needs extra lubrication as mobil oil is mixed in the fuel and cannot operate with the CNG. Due to this reason, a ban has been imposed on the import of two-stroke engines in Peshawar.

However, he added, some companies had approached the environment protection agency claiming that they had prepared special compressed natural gas kits for the two-stroke engines.

Before launching the project, a kit was examined by environment protection agency experts and found it suitable. Initially 20 rickshaws were installed with CNG kits free of cost.

Later, he said, these 20 tri-wheelers had been kept under observation for three months during which data was collected on fuel consumption and engine performance etc.

This conversion, the environment protection agency official said, showed a major decrease in the percentage of carbon monoxide (CO) Gas.

The emission of CO from petrol auto-rickshaw is 3.5 per cent to 4.5 per cent and from the CNG installed rickshaw is from 1.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent, showing a net decrease of 1.95 per cent.

As far as economic benefits are concerned, he said the net economical benefit per kilometres is Rs2.03 and average daily savings due to CNG conversion is Rs120. However, the vehicles converted on CNG take time to start and lose pick up power.

The issue of lubrication in two-stroke auto-rickshaw and non-availability of expert mechanics for compressed natural gas auto-rickshaws are also to be solved before any mass scale conversion.-APP