Kolkata pushes for wider use of biofuels

The local government of Kolkata, India, is pushing for general use of biofuel after favorable test results reported by the Kolkata Police. The results have been “very good” so far so the city police chief said he is thinking about running other police fleets on biofuels, according to media reports. Similarly, transport public sector undertakings (PSUs) are also thinking of using biofuels for their entire fleet–as is the fire brigade. Sensing the potential of the local biodiesel market, four companies have engaged in producing biofuel in Kolkata—Emami Biotech Pvt. Ltd., Coastal Energy Co., Sun Plant Agro Ltd. and Air Bridge Scaffolding. The local police has tied up with Emami Biotech, using a 50% biofuel (B50) mix, which was considered a bold move, as the central government has only recommended a 20% biofuel mixture. (April 22, 2009)