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Work on piped natural gas network proceeding slowly
The piped natural gas (PNG) network has often been touted as being a potential gamechanger in India’s energy sector. Unfortunately, despite the initiative’s obvious benefits, the apathetic attitude of the stakeholders involved has resulted in its implementation lagging considerably behind schedule, at least in Hubballi-Dharwad.
Thus far, IOAGPL has laid pipelines that cumulatively stretch to a length of 600km. With demand for PNG connection growing across Hubballi-Dharwad, there is a need to expedite work on the project.
Deputy general manager for IOAGL Vinod Papal attributed the lag to lack of awareness among the people. “Not many people were aware if the facility. But more households will now be integrated in the network since more people are coming forward asking to be supplied natural gas through the piped network,” Papal said.
The spike in price of petrol and diesel is pushing consumption of compressed natural gas, Papal said. “Autorickshaws need up to three kilos of CNG daily, while the figure is four kilos for taxis. Given the rising demand for CNG for motorised vehicles, the authorities have decided to increase the number of CNG pumping stations. As of now, there are five such stations across the twin cities, and there are plans to add seven more,” he said.
Papal said that they were facing difficulties in obtaining permission from the civic authorities to dig the ground for laying pipes owing to lack of knowledge among the officials about the benefits of PNG. “Union minister Pralhad Joshi, former chief minister Jagadish Shettar and MLA Arvind Bellad have helped us get permission to dig up the roads. Thankfully, we do not have to dig up any more roads since we have met our target,” Papal said.
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