NATIONAL
75% of people in State to have access to natural gas in 2 years
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), which organised a roadshow on Wednesday to promote 10th City Gas Distribution (CGD) bidding round, stated that 75% of people in Andhra Pradesh will have access to natural gas through CGD networks in next two years.
During the roadshow, the officials said that the 10th round bidding envisaged covering 70% of area in the State. Gujarat, Punjab, Goa and Haryana and Union Territories of Delhi, Chandigarh, Diu and Daman and Dadra Haveli will be fully authorised for CGD networks.
So far, bidding has covered East and West Godavari, Krishna, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts.
The current round is for CGD bidding in Anantapur, Kadapa, Nellore and Chittoor districts.
A matter of concern
Expressing concern over red-tapism hitting the schedules for providing piped gas to all domestic connections and CNG to all motorists within next two to three years, T. Subbarami Reddy, chairman of Committee on Subordinate Legislation (Rajya Sabha), said once the 10th round CGD was completed, 3.7 crore households in the State would have piped gas.
He said CGD networks by PNGRB should play a major role in providing clean, safe and environment-friendly fuel to the people of the country on a fast-track basis. Strong natural gas pipeline connectivity in AP would further propel growth in industrial sector, gas-based transportation, socio-economic progress and employment growth in the State, he remarked.
PNGRB member (legal) S.S. Chahar stated that after the current bidding round, 10 out of 13 districts of AP would be covered with CGD network. This would further enhance the economic and industrial development across the State.
Additional Advisor of PNGRB Arvind Kumar shared the progress of CGD networks as well as the salient features of the 10th CGD bidding round to attract investments in the sector.
The Government of India in consultation with the States and Union Territories concerned is keen on transporting gas – CNG and PNG — through cascades for quick start of business. Gas pipeline operator will provide connectivity to CGD network within 180 to 270 days. The performance bank guarantee has been capped at ₹50 crore.
