New Delhi, Nov 22 (UNI) Around 70 per cent of the population will be covered under City Gas Distribution after 10th bidding of CGD is over, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday, heralding a historic moment in India’s commitment towards cleaner fuels.
'After 10th bidding, when the work is finished, more than 400 districts of the country will be covered under the Gas distribution network. I am told that around 70 per cent population of the country will be benefit from this facility,' Mr Modi said after he laid the foundation stones of CGD projects under the 9th bidding round.
The Prime Minister launched 10th CGD Bidding Round in 50 GAs spread over 124 districts in 14 states.
This would herald the availability of convenient, environment-friendly and cheaper natural gas for almost half of the country’s population spread across 26 States and Union Territories.
Till 2014, 66 districts in the country were within the realm of the City Gas distribution network, the Prime Minister said, adding that ' The city gas work is underway in 174 districts of the country today. It would reach more than 400 districts in the next 2-3 years. This is the grand picture of how our cities have taken strong steps towards Gas-based Economy.'
Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan were present on the occasion.
The Government has put thrust to promote the usage of environment friendly clean fuel i e natural gas as a fuel or feedstock across the country to move towards a gas based economy.
Accordingly, development of CGD networks has been focused to increase the availability of cleaner
cooking fuel (PNG) and transportation fuel (CNG) to the citizens of the country.
The expansion of CGD network will also benefit to industrial and commercial units by ensuring the
uninterrupted supply of natural gas.
Till September 2018, 96 cities/Districts in different parts of the country were covered for development
of CGD networks. About 46.5 lakh households and 32 lakh CNG vehicles are availing the benefit of
clean fuel through existing CGD networks.
To boost the expansion of PNG/CNG network, PNGRB launched 9th CGD bidding round in April, 2018 for 86 Geographical Areas (GAs) covering 174 districts in 22 States/ Union Territories.
Subsequent to processing of received bids, grants of authorisation have been issued to the successful bidders to develop CGD network for 84 GAs at present.
As per commitment made by various entities in this bidding round, around 2 crore PNG (Domestic) connections and 4,600 CNG stations are expected to be installed in next 8 years across the country.
This has expanded the potential coverage of CGDs to about 50 per cent of country’s population spreading over 35 per cent of India's area.
Natural Gas (as CNG) is cheaper by 60 per cent as compared with petrol and 45 per cent with respect
to Diesel.
Similarly, Natural Gas (as PNG) is cheaper by 40 per cent as compared with market price LPG and price of PNG almost matches with that of subsidised LPG (based on prices in Delhi).
India made a commitment in COP21 Paris Convention in December 2015 that by 2030, it would reduce carbon emission by 33 per cent of 2005 levels. Natural gas, as domestic kitchen fuel, as fuel for transport sector as well as a fuel for industries and commercial units, can play a significant role in reducing carbon emission.
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