Indian railways to convert some diesel engines into CNG  

The Indian Railways Organization for Alternative Fuel (IROAF), a unit under the Railway Board, has decided to convert about 40 diesel-powered cars into compressed natural gas-run (CNG), which is cheaper and a cleaner form of energy. The railways has been coughing up approximately about Rs4,500 crore (US$965.48 million) annually for 2.3 billion liters of diesel fuel. Work on the new system will start soon after getting the go-ahead from the railway ministry. The new diesel CNG technology is being designed in such a way that minimal changes to the existing ones would be required. The railways would invite bids at the global level for introducing this new system in the Indian Railways, a Board official said. According to sources, about 90 to 100 DEMU (diesel electric modified unit) rakes have been running across the country in different zones. These are being used in about 300 trains at the country level. CNG is only available in limited cities, thus making it hard to refuel in case of emergencies. (August 12, 2010)