Hon’ble Chief Minister, Jharkhand, Hon’ble Union Minister of Tribal Affairs and Hon’ble Union Minister of P&NG and Steel launch CNG supply, CNG-run vehicles and D-PNG supply in Ranchi

by Priya Jadhav

·         CNG stations inaugurated in Madhuvan Vihar and Khukari

·         De-Compression Unit inaugurated at Mecon Colony for PNG Supply

Ranchi, August 23, 2019: Marking another significant milestone in the spread of the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga in Jharkhand, Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Raghubar Das, Hon’ble Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Shri Arjun Munda and Hon’ble Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel Shri Dharmendra Pradhan today launched supply of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), domestic Piped Natural Gas (PNG) and CNG-run vehicles in Ranchi.

GAIL (India) Limited is implementing the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga and also the City Gas Distribution (CGD) projects in Ranchi and Jamshedpur. GAIL Chairman & Managing Director Dr Ashutosh Karnatak and Director (Finance) Shri A K Tiwari were present on the occasion.

The Hon’ble Ministers inaugurated CNG stations in Madhuvan Vihar and Khukari on August 23, 2019 at Ranchi. They also launched supply of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to Domestic consumers in Shayamali Colony and CNG-run vehicles in the city.

Over the coming year, 11 CNG stations will be commissioned in Ranchi by GAIL to supply CNG to over 75000 vehicles.

Initially, natural gas will reach Ranchi in special containers called “cascades” which will be transported by road from Patna, Bihar. Later, Natural Gas will be supplied through the Jagdishpur – Haldia & Bokaro – Dhamra Natural Gas Pipeline (JHBDPL), popularly known as the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga. The pipeline is presently under construction and likely to be completed by 2020.

Three auto manufacturers M/s Piaggio, Bajaj and TVS  have agreed for supplying CNG auto vehicles. Awareness programmes are also being conducted for Auto Rickshaw Owners and drivers for the smooth transition to the use of CNG.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. It is also economical as compared to conventional fuels.

The commencement of supply of CNG is a major step towards the fulfillment of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s dream of developing a gas-based economy and linking Eastern India to the country’s Natural Gas Grid through the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga, which will pass through six  states, i.e. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha  West Bengal and Assam. Laying of 551 KM of Pipeline of this project will be done in Jharkhand. This pipeline will lead to industrial development of eastern India.

In coming years, 22 CNG stations will be commissioned in Jharkhand (Ranchi & Jamshedpur) by GAIL to supply CNG to over 1.25 Lakhs vehicles and Piped Natural Gas (PNG) supply to 10.46 Lakhs households.  CGD projects in Ranchi and Jamshedpur are being taken up in parallel with the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga pipeline. In Jharkhand, the Natural Gas Pipeline will be constructed at an estimated investment of Rs 4,366 crores and have a length of about 551 km covering 12 districts i.e. Chatra, Giridih, Hazaribagh, Bokaro, Ramgarh, Dhanbad, Saraikela, Ranchi, Khunti, Gumla, Simdega and East Singhbhum.

The overall capital expenditure for the Ranchi and Jamshedpur CGD projects will be Rs. 1,500 crores of which Rs 450 crores will be spent in the next three to five years.

The JHBDPL will provide a major boost to industries in eastern India and will supply Natural Gas for the revival of fertilizer plants in Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh), Barauni (Bihar), and Sindri (Jharkhand). In addition Matix Fertilizer at Durgapur (West Bengal) will also be provided natural gas. The revival of these fertilizer plants would result in an additional annual production capacity of 75 lakh tonne would be created, making India self-reliant in meeting the annual domestic demand.

GAIL (India) Limited is India’s No. 1 Integrated Natural Gas company with a market share of over 75% in Natural Gas transmission. With over 11,000 Kms of Natural gas network, GAIL supplies India’s fuel requirements across sectors like Power, Fertilizer, Industrial, automotive and even household consumers. Apart from natural gas transmission, distribution and processing, the Company has diversified business interests in Petrochemicals, LPG transmission, City gas projects and Exploration and Production activities. The company is committed to expand its current network to 18,000 km within 5 years.