In an effort to reduce environmental impact and save costs, the Tamil Nadu government introduced CNG and LNG buses on select routes, as a trial measure. This initiative is expected to lower the total expenses by 7-20% and reduce the carbon footprint of the state transport department. According to an official release, the various transport corporations in Tamil Nadu operate 20,160 diesel buses daily, serving approximately 17.6 million people. Fuel expenses account for nearly 27% of the total costs incurred by these corporations. Acting on Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's directive to use alternative fuel buses, Transport Minister S.S. Sivasankar announced that 14 buses powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) would be operated by seven transport corporations on an experimental basis. At a launch event in Chennai, Villupuram, and Kumbakonam, Minister Sivasankar formally initiated the service. Additionally, he issued appointment orders on ?compassionate grounds? to 49 legal heirs of transport corporation employees who died while on duty. (Source: ET)