CHENNAI: A CNG retrofitted Metropolitan Transport Corporation bus caught fire on LB Road at Adyar on Tuesday creating tension but no one was injured.
"In an unfortunate incident, a CNG converted bus belonging to Adyar Depot - TN01 AN 1569 caught fire today at LB Road, Adyar. The bus was on its trip from Broadway to Siruseri and all the passengers were immediately deboarded safely. The fire was doused with the help of fire and safety officials and the bus was safely towed down to the depot. A safety audit is currently underway, " MTC said in a statement.
Immediately after noticing smoke from the engine, the driver stopped the bus at Adyar and deboarded the passengers safely, it said.
MTC bus was retrofitted with a CNG kit by Chennai Auto Gas through the sponsorship of Torrent Gas Pvt Ltd and has been operated in the city since June 28. On June 13, Transport Minister SS Sivasankar flagged off six CNG and LNG buses on trial operation including two LNG buses from West Saidapet to Sriperumbudur.
TNSTC Enthusiasts, a coalition of public transport enthusiasts and commuters urged the state government to check the reliability of CNG retrofitment of diesel buses. It said that it was one of the new refurbished buses.