After studying the impact report from Phase I of the UNDP Technical Assistance Project, the Royal Danish Embassy in Bangladesh and the UNDP recognized the need to ensure sustainability of the CNG program and agreed to fund continuous activities for Phase II.

Three key cities outside Dhaka – Chittagong, Comilla, and Feni - were targeted for enhancing Bangladesh’s CNG infrastructure, where conversions shops and training centres were identified, inspected, and prepared. Specialized conversion training, including conversion kits, materials, and manuals, was provided to almost 300 autorickshaw owners, operators and technicians over a 3-month period. The program also included instructions on safety procedures.

To determine the emissions reductions benefits, tailpipe emissions from petrol-fuelled vehicles were recorded and compared to those converted to CNG operation. Data gathered using advanced monitoring equipment showed that properly converted two-stroke CNG vehicles have reduced emissions in the range of 80% compared to their petrol counterparts.

Workshops on codes and standards identified and documented a number of technical and safety issues to be addressed, to continue the success of CNG use in Bangladesh’s transportation sector. Short- and long-term strategies and recommendations were outlined for future consideration.