Fuel conservation not on Bangalorean's agenda

Fuel conservation not on Bangalorean's agenda
Thursday August 21 2008 11:09 IST

Express News Service

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BANGALORE: The recent Biodiversity Conservation India Limited (BCIL) ECO-PULSE survey has revealed alarming facts about fuel consumption patterns in Bangalore.

Even as the decibel levels on issues like energy usage emissions, global warming and climate change are on the rise globally, a survey among car-owning Bangaloreans has rather worryingly revealed that fuel conservation is not yet a focus area for many.

The survey reveals that 51 per cent people travel more than 30 km per day. Around 85 per cent use cars for shopping and 60 per cent for long drives. While 75 per cent use two-wheelers, only 4 per cent Bangaloreans use bicycle, the most environment- friendly vehicle.

BCIL CEO Chandrashekar Hariharan said: ''Heavy consumption of petroleum products results in 57 per cent of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the country today. Among all oil consuming sectors, CO2 emissions from transport are increasing at more than 6 per cent per annum. The need of the hour therefore is to think of methods to conserve fuel.”

The City is not doing well on most indicators of fuel conservation. Only 22 per cent practice car-pooling.

And as many as 47 per cent respondents are comfortable travelling alone, as not many are willing to depend on public mode of transportation.

''If the public transport improves, 43 per cent are still not ready to use it. Even if a person does not consider himself an environmentalist, a little fuel conservation can help not only the environment, but also the wallet,'' Hariharan added.