Official sources said the proposal was being actively considered by the surface transport ministry. Though at present compressed natural gas (CNG) is being used as a fuel in some vehicles, LPG is banned for use as fuel.

However, commercial vehicles in the country have already begun using this fuel unofficially. When contacted, surface transport ministry officials said they were only looking into such a feasibility and a decision could be taken either to allow it or turn down the proposal.

"We have to consider safety and various other aspects before permitting usage of LPG as fuel for vehicles," the officials said. Surface transport ministry had held discussions with the oiland petroleum ministry and the final decision rested with the former, they said. However, in case any amendment was necessary to the Motor Vehicle Act to facilitate usage of LPG as fuel for vehicle, then it will be taken up only after elections. "The amendment will have to be ratified by parliament and that is not possible now," the official said.

The proposal had been made in view of CNG being available in select cities only and the government's concern over increasing pollution throughout the country.

Last week, Tamil Nadu government threatened to cancel registration of vehicles using LPG as fuel. The threat followed after a car using LPG as fuel caught fire and crashed into a wall in Coimbatore. Referring to the Coimbatore incident, surface transport authorities said using LPG as vehicle fuel was against Motor Vehicles Act. Concerned over growing pollution, the Supreme Court on April 29 banned registration of all private non-commercial vehicles not complying with Euro-I norms in the NCR from June 1next.

The Supreme Court, however, permitted registration of 1,500 vehicles every month on first come first serve basis subject to conformity with Euro-I standards up to March 31, 2000. It also banned registration of vehicles not complying with Euro-II norms from April 1, 2000.

The order has forced automobile manufacturers in India to adopt Euro-I norms immediately and Euro-II norms in the next 11 months. Government had set 2005 as the deadline for automobiles to conform to Euro-II standards. At present, only Mercedes and Toyota have claimed that their products confirmed to Euro-II specifications on emission levels on diesel as well as petrol cars.