Major UP highways to turn into green energy corridors
The state government said on Sunday (Dec 27) that it has issued guidelines for the supply of piped natural gas (PNG) to industrial development authorities with the objective of environmental conservation and providing safe fuel to industries. The government said steps were being taken to convert major highways of the state into green energy corridors to promote the use of pollution free fuel in transport sector. “Industrial development authorities have been directed to facilitate authorized gas companies for laying of pipelines for network of natural gas in areas of state’s industrial development authorities,” industry minister Satish Mahana said. Additional chief secretary, infrastructure and industrial development, Alok Kumar said directions had been issued to Noida, Greater Noida, Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA), UP State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA), Gorakhpur Industrial Development Authority (GIDA), Satharia Industrial Development Authority (SIDA) and Lucknow Industrial Development Authority (LIDA) to provide required support to gas companies in development of piped natural gas (PNG) network. Last week, the industry department had issued a government order to the chief executive officers of industrial development authorities asking them to implement the ‘Dig and Restore’ policy of urban development department in industrial areas in compliance with Petroleum Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) directives for development of city gas distribution network based on geographical area. The authorities were directed to permit and facilitate infrastructure development by authorized gas companies for PNG supply. Under the Dig and Restore policy, permission has been given for laying of underground pipelines for gas supply through the use of such technologies that do not affect or interrupt traffic and normal activities. An NoC will be provided only if digging and restoration work done by the company is found to be satisfactory. UP Expressways Industrial Development Authority officials said 4,875 sq mt land had been earmarked in Bilhaur on Agra-Lucknow Expressway for green energy corridor.
