2/8/2004 (Renewable Fuel News) New Delhi-- Indian Railways (IR), one ofthe world's largest rail networks, is planning to use biodiesel to powerlocomotives across the country by 2006.

"Detailed planning will be undertaken to exploit this fuel (biodiesel) asa regular option," R. Velu, India's junior minister for railways, told theIndian Parliament recently. IR signed a memorandum of understanding withIndian Oil Corp. to prepare a biodiesel blend for the trains.

Velu said laboratory tests had proved the viability of biodiesel forcommercial use and trial runs had been carried out successfully. Therailway, which runs approximately 7,200 locomotives, intends to source 15%of its energy needs from biodiesel by 2010.

Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said studies hadbeen undertaken to explore the possibility of production of biodiesel fromnonedible oils like Jatropha curcas and Pongomia. "A detailed projectreport is being prepared by The Energy Research Institute for productionof biodiesel," he said.

The petroleum minister said field trials are currently being conducted byoil marketing companies to use a biodiesel/conventional diesel blend onbuses in collaboration with Haryana Roadways and with BrihanmumbaiElectric Supply and Transport Undertaking in Mumbai.

"Field trials and engine tests on locomotives are also in progress," Aiyarsaid. "If the field trials establish the efficacy of biodiesel and dieselblend, and indicate the possibility of economic pricing of these products,then large- scale oil seeds plantation would have to be undertaken beforecommercial production of biodiesel begins."