“As compared to 2014 when there were about 900 CNG stations, currently the number of CNG stations has crossed 4500, and will be ramped up to 8,000 in the next two years,” Puri said while inaugurating 166 CNG stations today via a video link here.
“As compared to 2014 when there were about 900 CNG stations, currently the number of CNG stations has crossed 4500, and will be ramped up to 8,000 in the next two years,” Puri said while inaugurating 166 CNG stations today via a video link here.
These CNG stations have been set up by state-owned utility GAIL (India) Ltd and nine of its group City Gas Distribution (CGD) companies in 41 Geographical Areas (GAs) across 14 states.
“These CNG stations commissioned at a cost of Rs 400 crore will further strengthen the gas-based infrastructure and availability of clean fuel in the country,” he said, adding that these CNG stations will provide direct employment to around 1,000 persons.
The number of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections in India have also now crossed 95 lakhs as compared to around 24 lakhs in 2014. Puri said this massive rollout of CNG is expected to incentivise the market for CNG vehicles and will have an exponential impact on manufacturing, skill development and employment generation.
After the completion of the ongoing CGD projects in GAs awarded under the eleventh and the twelfth bidding rounds, 98 per cent of the country’s population and 88 per cent of its geographical area will have access to natural gas. This is part of a larger plan to expand the share of natural gas in the primary energy mix to 15 per cent.
Puri also visited an exhibition on promotion of CNG and LNG-based Clean Mobility Technology Vehicles organized by industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).
SIAM Director General Rajesh Menon said there has been a major challenge regarding an exponential increase in CNG prices over the past few months and the industry is looking forward to the “right kind of interventions and support” from the government for moderating CNG prices.
