1. Awareness to 500 rickshaw owners/drivers/mechanics of Rawalpindi City for noiseless, economical and environmental friendly rickshaws. As a result of the project activities, virtually all the more than 5,000 rickshaw drivers/owners/mechanics have been made aware of the benefits of conversion to gas. In this respect the project has far surpassed original target. Installation of noise reducing silencers is also in progress and it is expected that soon that will become a standard modification for all rickshaws in the city.

2. Capacity building of workshop owners to provide technical training to maintain rickshaws fitted with gas kits. Through 4 training workshops, 14 workshop mechanics have been trained in installation and maintenance of gas-kits with the help of ENERCON. One training course was conducted specifically for CNG kits and its potential advantages.

3. Awareness and Promotion. Through 9 seminars and regular weekly and monthly meetings awareness has successfully been created amongst all stakeholders. The awareness program also included pamphlets, posters, stickers and two radio programs. At least six different makes of kits are available on the market and virtually all the rickshaws are using one type of conversion kit or another. Although few rickshaws have been provided the loan facility, commercial operators have developed sale of kits through private credit systems.

4. Loan facility. Loan facility was successfully introduced and is in great demand now, especially for up gradation from LPG to CNG kits. 163 people were given loans and there is now a long waiting list for more rickshaw drivers/owners wanting to avail the facility. Recoveries have been 100 percent with no defaults till date.

5. Enhancement of Incomes. The income levels of rickshaw drivers have been significantly enhanced. Petrol driven rickshaws costs Rs. 5.25 per kilometer as against Rs. 1.25 for L.P.G and Rs. 0.70 for CNG. On an average mileage of 40 kilometers, an average rickshaw driver using LPG makes a saving of Rs. 160 per day, a part of which is passed on to the customer in cheaper fares. For a CNG operated rickshaw the saving is Rs 182 per day. When adjusted for higher financial cost of CNG kit (by Rs 25 per day), the savings are about equal over a period of one year, after which the CNG has a clear advantage of Rs 22 per day. If it is assumed that 25 ? 30 percent of the cost advantage is passed on to the consumers, the project has contributed an increase of Rs. 3,000 per month (Rs 100 per day on long term average including short days and stoppages etc.) to the income of rickshaw drivers and their families.

6. Cleaner environment. Rawalpindi city has benefited from conversion to gas kits and the consumers are enjoying lower fares. According to one estimate, rickshaw fares have returned to the levels of 10 year ago when fuel prices were much lower.

RETURN ON INVESTMENT (ROI)

Based on assumptions about number of rickshaws converted to gas during last three years, 320 working days in a year, the ROI for the project is as follows:-

Mark up earned by ADO Rs. 291,033
Income enhancement of rickshaw drivers Rs . 144 million
Saving in transport cost to urban clients Rs. 10.8 million
Trade Profit for Dealers/suppliers of kits Rs 3 million
Total amount of fiscal social benefits Rs. 248 million

On a cost of Rs 2.6 million, this represents a very high return in terms of direct fiscal benefits to the stakeholders and beneficiaries of the project ? 9200 percent.

By substituting gas for petrol in the rickshaws plying roads of Rawalpindi, a significant reduction has taken place in emissions. The following table shows typical reduction of emissions in gas-converted rickshaws compared to petrol before conversion for the same rickshaw:-

GAS Petrol
Rickshaw CO HC ppm CO2 CO HC ppm CO2
1 0.14% 6160 3.40% 4.37% 7030 4.20%
2 0.16% 6040 2.90% 5.55% 7500 4.30%
Reduction in Emissions
1 97% 12% 19%
2 97% 19% 33%