PNG distribution launched in Bengaluru

     Written by : SMTV24x7 | Mon, Jun 19, 2017, 06:14 PM

PNG distribution launched in Bengaluru

Bengaluru June 19: Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday launched the first phase of the City Gas Distribution (CGD) project which has already connected over 34,000 households in Bengaluru.

The inauguration was marked by live streaming between Jayamma Reddy, one of the beneficiaries of PNG, and the guests present at the event held in HSR Layout. It was followed by another live streaming from the Laggere CNG station, where people with CNG vehicles were seen filling up.

Pradhan expressed his pleasure over the pace at which the first phase was completed. "I am very happy that the PNG project has been launched in Bengaluru. We have seen the project implemented in cities like Delhi, Meerut, and Kota. PNG is cheaper and cleaner than all the other types of fuel. If we want to save our country and the world from pollution, this is the right step to take," he said.

Bommanahalli MLA M Satish Reddy said a 16.5-kg LPG cylinder cost Rs 650 after subsidy whereas the PNG cost just Rs 400 for the same quantity. While applying for connection, a household has to pay Rs 5,800 for installation, out of which Rs 5,000 is refundable. GAIL has developed an app whereby you can pay your PNG bills, calculate your savings on CNG and locate CNG pumps. PNG has a whole lot of benefits over LPG.

It is economical, convenient and ensures the continuous supply. Consumers will not have to worry about waiting for the cylinder to come home.

Pradhan said: "We want to connect 1.32 lakh households in the next five years. Another step we need to take is to phase out all fuel oils and diesel gen sets; they use up a lot of fuel and pollute the environment, too."

He suggested that BMTC buses and all other automobiles, including auto-rickshaws, switch over to CNG as was done in Delhi. "This will bring down the emission levels considerably."

Pradhan said GAIL had two pipelines connecting Bengaluru, namely Dabhol-Bengaluru which starts in Dabhol, Maharashtra, and Kochi-Bengaluru. There is a proposal for a new pipeline from Chennai to Bengaluru in the recent future. GAIL also plans to set up 60 CNG stations in five years.