CARS in the country are going green - not that they are going to run on electricity or hydrogen. The new generation automobiles in the country will be using natural jute fibre as car components. As part of the experiment, metallic or synthetic interiors and other auto components - most importantly, door panels, dashboards, car rooftops and I front boards'-holding the steering wheels - will be substituted with natural jute or processed jute products. A German firm originally developed the idea and transferred it to Calcutta-based Birla Jute and Industries, which is now making the products for the new generation Indian cars.

The company is promoting the product as a totally recycled, reusable product, which is much cheaper but the real advantage lies in its light weight which would enable better engine performance and fuel efficiency. Many leading names of the automobile industry like Mercedes Benz, Ford, Bmw, Audi and Chrysler, have already okayed the experiments. In India, Maruti Udyog's Zen, Opel Astra and Tata Sierra are some of the models raring to go green.