Pipe up, No More Waiting for Gas Bangalore
By the end of May, BEL Layout will be among the first neighbourhoods in the city to get Piped Natural
Gas (PNG) connections.
This means residents will no longer have to book and wait for a connection. Gas will be supplied through
a pipeline, directly into the kitchen. A Smart Meter will monitor the usage and payment can be made
depending on the readings.
The basic structure for PNG supply is set up in the houses in BEL Layout. The pipes have been laid and
connected to the kitchen, while the Smart Meters are also in place.
Testing is now in progress, and gas supply will begin within a month from now. As many as 1,500 homes
in the locality will benefit from the PNG connections.
Several other areas in the city will also get the connections soon. The Gas Authority of India Limited
(GAIL) is hoping to provide the facility to about two lakh houses in the city by 2017.
HSR Layout, Bellandur, HAL, Marathalli, Sanjaynagar, Dollars Colony, Jalahalli, Jayanagar and JP Nagar
are among the areas on the department’s list. The plan is to reach out to at least 10,000 houses in HSR
Layout; 8,000 in Bellandur and 15,000 in HAL.
According to sources in GAIL, tests are being held and lines are being checked. In less than a year, 219
kilometres of pipeline has been laid and the aim is to complete 700 kilometres in the next five years.
GAIL authorities say awareness programmes about the features of PNG connections have already been
held for the residents.
Ratna, a senior resident of BEL Layout, said this would benefit them as the cost of cooking gas would
come down. “We have been told that we can pay only for what we use. This is a good initiative.”
Devika, another resident, said the connection would eliminate the waiting period. “When we book for a
refill, we have to wait for three or four weeks. We also have to make sure that we are at home when it
comes. With PNG, none of these hassles would be there.”
Gail’s Goal
HSR Layout 10,000 houses Bellandur 8,000 HAL 15,000 to soon get PNG connections
https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/Pipe-up-No-More-Waiting-for-