City Gas Distribution (CGD) network to reach 70% of India’s population by 2030
A recently released report states that the Urban Gas Distribution – City Gas Distribution (CGD) network could reach 70% of India’s population by 2030.
Earlier, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) had approved the construction of the 10th City Gas Distribution CGD network. Upon its completion, 71 per cent of the population is expected to be covered under the urban gas distribution network. It is noteworthy that in the year 2011, less than 20% of the population was under the purview of this network.
The urban gas distribution (City Gas Distribution – CGD) network is an interconnected network of pipelines for the supply of natural gas. It is distributed as piped natural gas (PNG) for domestic and industrial uses and as compressed natural gas (CNG) for transportation use.
Natural gas is a better fuel than coal and other liquid fuels, as it is more environmentally friendly, safer and cheaper.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) gives permission for the development of CGD networks in specified geographical areas of the country.
Benefits of CGD network: Uninterrupted supply of cooking fuel to households, combating industrial pollution, moving towards gas based economy, reduction in carbon emissions etc.
Initiatives taken to promote CGD:
- Under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, CGD has been accorded the status of a public utility service.
- MoPNG has given priority to PNG (domestic) and CNG (transport) segments of the CGD sector in domestic gas allocation.
- MoPNG has prepared a draft policy of CGD for adoption by the states.
Source – PIB
