Srinagar, Oct 13: The government has taken a significant step to expand the accessibility of natural gas across the nation by inviting bids for licenses to distribute natural gas to households, vehicles, and small industries in five northeastern states, as well as the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has put up eight geographical areas (GAs) for bidding as part of the 12th city gas distribution (CGD) round, which will involve retailing CNG to vehicles and delivering gas to households and industries.
Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, who launched the bidding round, highlighted the importance of natural gas as a clean, environmentally friendly fossil fuel. He emphasized its potential in addressing environmental challenges and the growing energy needs in a sustainable manner. The Indian government is dedicated to promoting the use of natural gas as a fuel and feedstock across the country to increase its share in the primary energy mix to 15% in the coming years.
During his address, Minister Hardeep Singh Puri noted that the successful conclusion of the 11th CGD bidding round had increased the potential coverage of the CGD sector to approximately 98% of the population and 88% of the geographical area in the country. The launch of the 12th bidding round aims to further expand the CGD coverage.
He also highlighted the significance of pipelines as a cost-effective means of gas transport in the country. The gas pipeline network has witnessed significant growth since 2014, with around 23,500 kilometers of gas pipelines currently in operation and approximately 12,000 kilometers approved or under construction. The government is working toward achieving the vision of “One Nation One Gas Grid” by 2030.
The Chairperson of PNGRB, Anil Kumar Jain, emphasized the board’s focus on establishing a robust and sustainable gas infrastructure throughout the country. The launch of the bidding round for the Himalayan states represents a move toward providing a cleaner fuel source in the delicate ecosystems of these regions.
Pankaj Jain, Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, praised PNGRB’s efforts to develop gas infrastructure in the country.
Currently, PNGRB has authorized 300 GAs, covering approximately 88% of the country’s geographical area and 98% of its population. Additionally, PNGRB has approved approximately 32,203 kilometers of natural gas trunk pipelines, with around 22,191 kilometers currently operational. This latest round of bidding represents a significant step in further expanding the accessibility and availability of natural gas across the nation.
