Bhubaneswar: Marking another significant milestone in the spread of
the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga in Odisha, Union Petroleum and Natural
Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will launch supply of Compressed
Natural Gas (CNG) and CNG-run scooters in Bhubaneswar and lay the
foundation stones for two new pipelines which are connected to the
mainline.
In addition, GAIL (India) Limited will sign term-sheets with
industrial customers for supply of Natural Gas and a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) for skill development of local youth. This was
announced by GAIL Director (Projects) Dr. Ashutosh Karnatak at a press
conference here on Friday in presence of Vandana Chanana (ED, CC&CSR),
K.B. Singh (ED, ER), S. K. Pathak, CGM and A. K. Srivastava.
“GAIL is implementing the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga and
also the City Gas Distribution (CGD) projects in Bhubaneswar and
Cuttack. The Minister will inaugurate CNG stations in Chandrasekharpur
and Patia on December 16, 2017. Two more stations are being
constructed in Khandagiri and Tamando. Over the coming years, 25 CNG
stations will be commissioned in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and
Cuttack to supply CNG to vehicles, Karnatak said.
Initially, natural gas will reach Bhubaneswar in special containers
called “cascades” which will be transported by road from Vijaywada in
Andhra Pradesh. Later, Natural Gas will be supplied through the 2655
km long Jagdishpur – Haldia & Bokaro – Dhamra Natural Gas Pipeline
(JHBDPL), popularly known as the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga. The
Hon’ble Minister will also lay the foundation stones for new Dhamra –
Angul 36 inch main line and Bhubaneshwar – Cuttack – Paradip 12 inch
spur line on December 17, which are part of this pipeline project, he
added.
CNG is one of the most environment-friendly fuels as compared to
conventional fuels because it has no impurities such as sulphur or
lead. It is safe because it is lighter than air and rises up in case
of leakage. Moreover, it is unlikely to ignite because of high
ignition temperature of approximately 585 degree Celsius. It is also
economical as compared to conventional fuels. CNG being an economical,
environment friendly, convenient and safer fuel is termed a ‘Happy Fuel’ for
every user.
The Minister will also launch of CNG-run scooters in the city.
Earlier, these were available only in Delhi, Mumbai and Pune. To make
it convenient for people to convert their two-wheelers to CNG, GAIL
has associated with Bank of Maharasthra to launch a unique financing
scheme which will enable the user to convert his or her scooter by
paying an EMI of Rs. 500 every month. Further, tie up for other banks
like Punjab National Bank are also being done on similar lines.
Three kit manufacturers have been approved by Transport Commissioner,
Odisha for retrofitting of CNG kits in vehicles. Kit manufacturers
have also appointed their dealers for Bhubaneswar. Awareness
programmes have been conducted for autorickshaw owners and drivers
and such initiatives would be continued in future also for the smooth
transition of vehicles to CNG.
The commencement of supply of CNG is a major step towards the
fulfilment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of developing a
gas-based economy and linking Eastern India to the country’s Natural
Gas Grid.
The overall capital expenditure for the Bhubaneswar and Cuttack CGD
projects will be Rs. 1,700 crore, of which Rs 400 crore will be spent
in the next three to five years.
In Odisha, the Natural Gas Pipeline will be constructed at an
estimated investment of Rs 4,000 crores and have a length of about 769
km covering 13 districts-Bhadrak, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Angul,
Sundergarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Debagarh, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack,
Khordha, Puri and Kendrapara & will connect major industrial clusters
of Khurdha, Jharsuguda, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack,
Angul, Dhenkanal, Kalinganagar, Jajpur and Paradip.
On the occasion, GAIL will sign term-sheets for the supply of Natural Gas
to major industries in steel and aluminium sector in the state. This
will enable switch over from existing fuels to cleaner, safer,
convenient and economical fuel.
Besides, an MoU will be signed in the presence of the Minister between
National Skill Development Collaboration, GAIL, Skill Development
Institute, Bhubaneswar and Labour Net Services India Private Limited
to collaborate for training local unemployed youth to ensure their
employability in various important jobs related to the Natural Gas
Pipeline Project. They would be provided training in important trades
such as Pipe-fitters (City Gas Distribution), Pipe-fitters (Oil &
Gas), Instrumentation Mechanic (Oil and Gas), Industrial Welder (Oil &
Gas) and Salesmen-cum-Operators for CNG stations, etc.
