Rajasthan formulating five-year plan for domestic piped natural gas supply infrastructure

Following the release of the city gas distribution (CGD) policy, the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Rajasthan is formulating a five-year action plan for infrastructure development and facility expansion for domestic piped natural gas and compressed natural gas supply to the domestic users.

The supply of cooking gas for domestic consumption through underground pipelines is a relatively new concept in Rajasthan. The action plan is expected to promote green energy, besides meeting the targets set by the Centre in the petroleum and natural gas sectors.

The CGD policy, approved by the State Cabinet last week, envisages the expansion of piped natural gas and CNG networks in small towns and urban areas through simplified and time-bound regulatory procedures. It will ensure the supply of clean, safe and environment-friendly natural gas to reduce carbon emissions across the State.

Principal Secretary (Mines & Petroleum) T. Ravikanth said here on Wednesday that a target had been set to provide the piped natural gas to 1.25 lakh households and start 89 new CNG stations during the current financial year, in accordance with the budgetary announcement. He said the safety standards would be complied with during the supply and transportation of natural gas.

While interacting with the representatives of 13 CGD institutions, Mr. Ravikanth laid emphasis on promoting green energy, which was the need of the hour. “The CGD policy has made the provisions for issuing timely permissions to the agencies. District level committees have also been formed for addressing the issues and ensuring a better coordination,” he said.

A web portal was being prepared with the help of the Department of Information Technology, through which the works for execution, coordination and monitoring would be carried out, Mr. Ravikanth said. The action plan is expected to accelerate the shift towards cleaner fuel options and reduce the dependence on conventional fossil fuels.

New pipelines of an estimated length of 2,000 km are proposed to be laid for domestic gas supply in eight cities of the State, including Jaipur, by the end of the current financial year. The Mines & Petroleum Department has asked the CGD institutions to prepare their roadmap for laying the pipelines and submit it to the State government.

The release of domestic cooking gas connections will be followed by the connections through pipelines on a large scale in the industrial areas of the State. Mr. Ravikanth said the State government was serious about promoting the use of natural gas and had issued the CGD policy with this objective.

Rajasthan State Gas Limited Managing Director Ranveer Singh said at the meeting that the CGD policy would help in the development of infrastructure facilities for the institutions and build a sustainable gas-based ecosystem.