Panel to submit report on energy saving in a month, says Moily

'Encourage use of public mode of transport once in a week'

Union ministry of petroleum and natural gas is keen on conserving petroleum products by implementing several measures and creating awareness among the people.

The ministry will implement the recommendations of the expert committee chaired by financial expert Vijay Kelkar which is likely to submit its report on energy saving within a month, said Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas M Veerappa Moily.

He was speaking after launching a mega campaign on petroleum conservation jointly organised by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd and Maco Co-operative Society Ltd at Maco petrol bunk near Balmatta here on Monday. 

Maintaining that the petroleum and natural gas ministry will take measures to reduce the import of crude oil by 2020, he said the ministry is studying the Japan model on reducing the traffic congestion, which would be implemented in Indian cities too. Reducing traffic congestion would lead to saving of fuel , he said.

Bicycle stands 

Moily also insisted the local corporate bodies to open-up bicycle stands and support people to use public mode of transport at least once in a week, so as to save the fuel.

The ministry could save up to Rs 2.5 crore fuel cost as all the employees of the petroleum ministry travelled on public transport system last Wednesday. This is a positive step towards conservation of fuel,” he pointed.

Official mind-set

The ministry spends crores of rupees on importing fuel every year. India has the capacity to produce petroleum, but there is mind block among the officials, which is preventing the production.

 The ministry intends to reduce crude oil import by 50 per cent by 2020, 70 per cent by 2025 and achieve self-sufficiency by 2030, the union minister said.

The new initiative of the ministry to conserve fuel, will be appraised by the third party and plan the future programmes with necessary amendments, Veerappa Moily said.Awareness will be created in the form of Yakshagana andstreet plays as a part of the campaign on conservation of petroleum.