Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday said the government will more than double city gas networks to 400 districts, quadruple piped cooking gas connections to households to 20 million and also set up 10,000 CNG dispensing stations.
Speaking at a foundation laying ceremony, for gas projects in 129 districts of 18 states, awarded in the recently concluded bid round, PM Modi said the push towards a gas-based economy where the share of environment-friendly fuel in the energy basket will be increased from 6.2 per cent to 15 per cent by 2030, will create hundreds of thousands of jobs and help meet India’s COP-21 commitments.
“This is an important step in developing infrastructure,” he said, adding once 10th round is completed, natural gas as fuel will cover 400 districts and 70 per cent population.
Stations to dispense CNG, which is being pushed as a cheaper alternative to polluting petrol and diesel as auto fuel, has increased to 1,470 in four years from 947 that was set in the previous 25 years, he said, adding this number would cross 10,000 in 10 years.
Gas infrastructure is being strengthened through a nationwide gas grid, city gas distribution projects and raising liquefied natural gas (LNG) import capacity.
Also, gas based-economy will have a positive impact on the environment when automobiles will be run on CNG and industries get uninterrupted gas supplies, he said.