Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau.
Despite a significant rise in CNG vehicle usage, the Udham Singh Nagar headquarters, Rudrapur still lacks a fitness center for hydro testing of CNG kits, posing a safety risk for vehicle owners. According to the Transport Department’s Rudrapur division, there are 1,357 vehicles running solely on CNG and another 2,136 vehicles operating on both CNG and petrol. Although facilities for CNG refills and kit installations are available, there is no provision for hydro testing in the city.
The Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) mandates that CNG kits undergo hydro testing every three years to ensure safety. This test, regulated by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO), checks for potential weaknesses in the cylinder, including the possibility of seal failure, valve damage, or even cylinder explosions. Failure to perform the test could lead to the refusal of CNG refills.
“Currently, there is no proposal for establishing a fitness center in Rudrapur,” said Chakrapani Mishra, ARTO Administration, Rudrapur. “Vehicle owners have to go to other metros for hydro testing. We monitor the process and a proposal for a local facility will be sent in the future,” he added.
In hydro testing, cylinders are subjected to pressure 1.5 times higher than normal to determine their fitness. The absence of a local center has created doubts regarding the regular monitoring of CNG vehicles’ fitness, leaving owners to travel long distances to fulfill this crucial safety requirement.
