Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Housing & Urban Affairs, marked a milestone by dedicating 201 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations and India’s inaugural Small Scale LNG Unit, on Tuesday. These developments, he stated, are pivotal in India’s journey towards energy security and sustainable growth.
The Minister, speaking at the event, reiterated the government’s vision of increasing the share of natural gas in the primary energy basket to 15% by 2030. He emphasized the importance of the National Gas Grid (NGG) and the widespread City Gas Distribution (CGD) network, linking consumption centers with supply points, as crucial elements in building a robust gas-based economy.
The dedication ceremony, conducted via video conferencing, was attended by Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas & Labour and Employment, Rameshwar Teli, along with other dignitaries from the oil and gas sector. The event saw the presence of Secretary of Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Pankaj Jain, and Chairman and Managing Director of GAIL (India) Limited, Sandeep Kumar Gupta, among others.
These 201 CNG stations, established by 15 City Gas Distribution (CGD) entities of the GAIL group, span 52 Geographical Areas (Gas) across 17 states. Additionally, India’s first small-scale LNG unit has been inaugurated at GAIL’s Vijaipur LPG plant.
Breaking down the distribution, GAIL Gas Limited accounts for 53 stations, Indraprastha Gas Limited with 50, GAIL with 43, and Mahanagar Gas Limited with 20 stations. Furthermore, Avantika Gas Limited, Bengal Gas Company Limited, Central UP Gas Limited, Goa Natural Gas Pvt. Limited, Green Gas Limited, Haridwar Natural Gas Limited, Purba Bharati Gas Limited, Rajasthan State Gas Pvt. Limited, Tripura Natural Gas Company Limited, and Vadodara Gas Limited contribute to this network.
Minister Puri emphasized India’s commitment to enhancing the policy and regulatory framework to support cleaner and sustainable fuels for public accessibility. He hailed the inauguration of GAIL group’s 201 CNG stations as a significant step towards this vision, showcasing the company’s dedication to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Praising GAIL for its innovative approach, Minister Puri commended the establishment of India’s first Small Scale LNG unit at Vijaipur in Madhya Pradesh, with a project cost of 150 crores. He highlighted the potential of this technology in connecting isolated gas sources with markets and consumers, thereby aiding in the monetization of these resources.
Looking towards the future, the Minister noted that as per the Minimum Work Plan submitted by CGD entities, the country is projected to have around 17,500 CNG stations and approximately 120 million PNG (Domestic) connections by 2030. This development, he stated, will also foster the growth of ancillary industries in various segments such as CGD meters, compressors, and dispensers, aligning with the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
