In a move that is expected to cause much discomfort to four-wheeler owners looking to convert to clean fuel, no new CNG kits can be legally purchased for retrofitting from the open market as per a recent Delhi government directive. According to a Transport Department order, the government has indefinitely suspended installation of new CNG kits on ‘in use’ vehicles by an estimated 50 authorised private centres after receiving complaints of graft against “some of them”.
“Since allegation has been received from some corners that some CNG kit manufacturers have been supplying unapproved/uncertified CNG kits for retro-fitment...all the MLOs are hereby directed not to endorse any CNG fuel in the vehicle registration certificates till further orders,” said the order.
Even as the Delhi Transport Department went into a huddle to discuss the way forward in relation to the directive banning retrofitting of CNG kit in ‘in-use’ cars, sources said the matter had been formally reported to the police for investigation.
Vehicle owners opting for factory-fitted CNG kits will not be impacted.
The police, meanwhile, said that no first information report has been registered in connection with the matter nor has any complaint come to their notice so far.
Talking to The Hindu, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Madhur Verma said that no such complaint had been submitted, in person at least, till Wednesday evening.
Meanwhile, the Transport Department was “working to resolve the issue at the earliest” as it did not want to “stall the switch to the clean fuel”, said insiders.
