Fleet of Ethanol-run buses awaiting ARM clearance

Fleet of Ethanol-run buses awaiting ARM clearance

                                                                                   

THE fleet of Ethanol-based buses of Swedish firm will take a month's time to hit the city roads. Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has sought clearance from Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI). Pune for plying these bus es on Indian roads. Presently. ARAI is doing research on these buses and after its satisfaction, the association will give clearances. Sources confirmed that a proposal of MoRTH is pending with ARAI for two weeks. The research team of ARAI will go through the proposal and give clearance. The programme of handing over these buses to Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMO) scheduled on August 22, is likely 10 be postponed as ARAI permission is awaited. Scania Group has sponsored five Eihanolbased buses for city bus fleet to NMC. The Swedish company selected Nagpur for these buses at the initiative Union Surface Transport Minister NitinGadkari. However, the local body will have to seek permission from MoRTH to ply these buses on city roads because as per the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA). the permissible fuel for any vehicle include Petrol. Diesel, LPG, CNG and Battery. There is no provision of Elhanol fuel for use in vehicles. To incorporaie this fuel in the list. MoRTH has to amend MVA. The Ministry can issue ordinance but it will require clearance from ARAI to ply these buses on city roads. Sources claimed diat after receiving  No Objection Certificate' from ARAL Maharashtra Government will give approval to ply city buses on the roads. For this approval, it will require ordinance from MoRTH, NMC will have to obtain permit from Regional Transport Office (RTO) to ply Uiese buses.

Scania Group has assured NMC to operate buses for three months on trial basis. After clearance from the government, the company will sign an agreement with Nagpur Mahanagar Parivahan Limited (NMPL) and run the buses free-of-cost. Meanwhile, the company submitted a draft copy of agreement to local body, which will be examined by legal advisor. Aboul ARAI: AUTOMOTIVE Research Association of India (ARAI) has been playing a crucial role in assuring safe, less polluting, and more efficient vehicles. ARAI provides technical expertise in research and development, testing, certification, homologation, and framing of vehicle regulations.

ARAI is a co-operative industrial research association established by the automotive industry with the Ministry of Industries. Government of India. It works in harmony and complete confidence with its members, customers and Government of India to offer the finest services, which earned for itself ISO 9001. ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001. and NABL accreditations.

ARAI is well-equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructural facilities and highly qualified manpower.

Posted in: News 2014