The Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA), a registered society functioning under the patronage of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, has announced its annual one-month long people-centric fuel conservation campaign, Saksham. Scheduled to launch on 16th January 2020, the campaign endeavours to disseminate the message of fuel conservation and a greener environment across India.
About the Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA)
Set up as a non-profit organization, the PCRA is a national government agency committed to advocating energy efficiency across various sectors of the economy. The association assists the government in formulating policies and strategies for petroleum conservation. This is with the objective of diminishing the country’s over-reliance on oil requirements. The PCRA operates from its head office located in New Delhi.
Key Initiatives by the PCRA
One of the defining initiatives by the PCRA, in collaboration with the Institute of Petroleum-Dehradun, was the development of a high-energy efficient Piped Natural Gas (PNG) burner or gas stove for households where piped gas is accessible. This initiative aimed at saving gas when compared to the modified LPG stove for PNG.
Another prominent initiative is the annual Saksham National Competition which is usually launched in the month of July. The competition has witnessed participation from 1.48 crore students.
Awareness Campaigns
PCRA recently conducted an awareness campaign at 100 of Delhi’s busiest intersections through the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI). This campaign was aimed at encouraging motorists to switch off their engines at red lights. The campaign resulted in approximately a 22% reduction in idling fuel losses for petrol. Furthermore, a reduction of roughly 14%, 12%, and 19% was observed in Diesel, CNG, and LPG respectively due to this awareness campaign.
Summary of PCRA Impact
| Fuel Type | % Reduction in Fuel Loss Due to PCRA Campaign |
|---|---|
| Petrol | 22% |
| Diesel | 14% |
| CNG | 12% |
| LPG | 19% |
Final Remarks on Saksham Campaign
The aforementioned initiatives and the results they have garnered highlight the effectiveness of the PCRA’s efforts to promote fuel conservation, energy efficiency, and a greener environment. The upcoming Saksham campaign, which is all set to launch on the 16th of January, is another step towards achieving these objectives on a national scale.