Gas-powered boats to replace kerosene ones in coastal K’taka?

Team Udayavani, Jan 10, 2021, 9:24 AM IST

Mangaluru: Vessels in coastal Karnataka heading for fishing mostly have an engine running on kerosene as fuel. Preparations are underway to fix gas-powered engines in them.

The Fisheries Department recently stated that use of alternative fuel is necessary to reduce the damage caused to the environment by kerosene-powered engines, however, it is yet to finalise a decision on using gas instead of kerosene.

The department also debated about using diesel-powered or rechargeable engines instead of kerosene, and it has currently considering that gas is better than both.

A company in the State has launched a 5 horsepower gas-powered engine boat. However, in a discussion at a meeting of fishing industry leaders in Bengaluru, it was said that the boats presently used in the State’s coast have minimum 9.9 horsepower engines, hence suitable-powered boats will be required.

Additionally, Kerosene-fueled boats usually cost approximately Rs 95 thousand while gas-powered ones cost about Rs 1.10 lakhs.

The decision to fix existing kerosene-powered boats with gas-powered engines was taken by the previous State government. However, it was not fully implemented because it was not technically feasible. There were also apprehensions on gas-powered engines that gas prices might increase, the mileage of these engines are low and the engines are not safe.

Many in the fishing industry complain that many times there is a shortage of kerosene. The situation with gas could also be the same. Adding that the government should increase the gas subsidy to assuage this fear.

Subhash Boluru, a fishing union leader, speaking to Udayavani said that if the fishermen get a safe and low-cost gas connection then we will welcome the decision.

Presently, each fishing boat in the State receives 210 litres of kerosene per month from the government. With this, fishing can be carried out at sea for up to 5 nautical miles. There are over 1,500 fishing boats in the Dakshina Kannada district and over 2,500 fishing boats in the Udupi district.