Bhubaneswar to get Piped Natural Gas supply by 2019

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], October 18 (ANI): Odisha will soon be able to use Piped Natural Gas (PNG), an eco-friendly and safe fuel.

Union Minister for Natural Gas and Petroleum Dharmendra Pradhan will launch the PNG supply project for residents of Bhubaneswar, on October 20.

"GAIL (India) will commence supply of environment-friendly PNG in 255 houses in Nalconagar in the first phase," GAIL Director Ashutosh Karnatak said at a press conference here in Bhubaneswar.

Initially, natural gas will reach Bhubaneswar in special containers called "cascades" from Andhra Pradesh's Vijaywada. Later, natural gas will be supplied through the Jagdishpur -Haldia and Bokaro- Dhamra Natural Gas Pipeline (JHBPDL). Pipeline is presently under construction and expected to be completed by 2019.

Terming it as a "Happy Fuel", Karnatak said that PNG is eco-friendly as well as one of the most convenient and safe fuels.

Besides helping in reduction of fuel imports, PNG will also save the hassle of gas cylinders, as the supply will be made through pipes, and payment would be based on the meter reading as per the usage.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in March that the PNG supply in Nalconagar would commence by March 2018 on a pilot basis. However, GAIL will commence supply of natural gas 6 months before the deadline, Karnatak said.

The number of PNG connections in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack will be gradually ramped up in the next three to five years. Additionally, 25 CNG stations will be commissioned in both cities to supply CNG fuel to vehicles.

Construction of CNG stations has already begun in Chandrasekharpur, Patia, Khandagiri, and Tamando.

GAIL also plans to provide PNG connections to adjacent Jeevan Bima Colony and Maitri Vihar Colony covering a total of 1000 houses.

City Gas Distribution (CGD) Projects are also being taken up in parallel with the JHBDPL, popularly known as 'Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga'. The natural gas pipeline project in the state worth Rs 400 crore will cover 13 districts. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI