$2.6 billion question: Do you switch car off at signal?

A simple change in our attitude while driving — switching off vehicle engines at red lights — along with judicious use of cooking gas in kitchens can save India a hefty $2.6 billion or close to `16,000 crore every year.

The figures released by the Petroleum Conservation and Research Association (PCRA), a unit of the petroleum ministry, has revealed that a substantial `1,000 crore of public money is lost every year due to idling of vehicles at red lights in the national capital of Delhi alone.

"A simple way to check this wastage is an attitudinal change in the minds of drivers by just switching off the vehicle engine at red lights," a senior ministry official said on the condition of anonymity.

A nationwide mega campaign on "Save fuel yaani save money" has being launched by the central government at a cost of ₹17.5 crore beginning September in order to save up to 10-15% in the consumption of petrol, diesel and liquified petroleum gas (LPG) alone.

This will be done through awareness drives and sensitising users about the use of petroleum product with the help of direct " connect activities" including intersection activities, nukkad natak, cyclothon, walkathon, marathon, LPG clinics and workshop for industrial and agricultural sectors.

According to PCRA, the maximum demand for petroleum products comes from the transport sector.

The highest consumption of diesel is in trucks (27.9%) followed by cars (12.1%) and buses (9.9%).

During 2012-13, total consumption of petroleum products stood at 155.41 million metric tonnes (MMT). Out of this, main products include diesel (69.2 MMT or 44.5%), LPG (15.6 MMT or 10.0%) and petrol (15.7 MMT or 10.1%).

According to different estimates, the nation can save `15,987 crore every year in the consumption of petrol, diesel and cooking gas by creating awareness amongst the public regarding the judicial use of petroleum products.