Covid blamed for delay in CNG supply to Aurangabad
Aurangabad: The never-ending wait of Aurangabad residents for supply of compressed natural gas (CNG) continues as outbreak of Covid-19 is being blamed for the delay in assured and adequate supply of the eco-friendly fuel. Aqeel Abbas, secretary of Aurangabad Petroleum Dealers Association (PDA), on Monday said the pandemic has caused delay in setting up necessary infrastructure for the supply of CNG. “The work of laying pipeline for supply of CNG could not progress at the desired speed due to Covid-related restrictions. We retailers had decided to source the CNG using on our own using personal transportation, but the plan could not be executed properly due to the pandemic. The retailers have procured necessary set-ups and will start installing the same now as Covid curbs are eased further,” he saidAmid rising fuel prices, the option of CNG continues to elude the residents of Aurangabad even if the petroleum and natural gas regulatory board had granted authorisation for the supply of CNG and PNG (piped natural gas) in Aurangabad district in September 2018. According to PDA, only one fuel outlet from Aurangabad located in Shendra area supplies CNG fuel. “We have been told that there are some logistical issues in place currently in supplying CNG. If things improve on the part of production companies, we expect that around a dozen outlets will start supply of CNG in near future,” Abbas saidTalking about the dedicated Bio-CNG plant coming in Osmanabad district, PDA authorities said they were hoping the situation would improve by virtue of the upcoming facility. Prashant Chikhalikar, a professional, said he deferred his plans to buy a family car due to skyrocketing fuel prices. “The dream of a common man to buy a car can be fulfilled easily if CNG becomes available easily,” he said.
