Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Union Petroleum and Natural Gas & Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on December 1, 2020, inaugurated and dedicated to the Nation Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited’s (MNGL) 5 stations through Video Conference, which takes the company’s compressed natural gas (CNG) stations to one hundred. The Minister also inaugurated the commencement of civil work at LNG/CNG station at Pathardi, Nashik, Maharashtra, CNG supply to buses in Nashik, and CNG distribution through award of Mobile refuelling Unit (MRU) at Pune.
Speaking on the occasion, Pradhan said that India is committed to achieve 15% share of natural gas in the primary energy mix by 2030 for a more sustainable energy use. This will help reduce environmental pollution and fulfil commitment to COPE-21 climate change commitments. He said that greater use of natural gas will reduce dependence on fossil fuel and consequently reduce import bill and import dependence, according to a PIB release
Pradhan said that with today’s inauguration, MNGL has a network of 100 CNG stations. “With 5 stations added today we will almost reach the figure of 2,500 station. But we have to keep pushing ourselves to reach the figure of 10,000 CNG stations in coming 7-8 years,” he added. He said, “I have been informed that while Maharashtra SRTC has placed order for retrofitting of buses to CNG, Kerala SRTC is also finalising trial conversion for buses. MNGL has taken pioneering initiative of placing Mobile Refueling Unit (MRU) for the first time in the country.”
Pradhan said that CGD sector has emerged as a major industry for natural gas consumption. The demand is only going to increase as more GAs become operational and consumption increases in domestic, transport, commercial and industrial sector of CGD networks.
He said that foundation for India’s first 50 LNG Fuel stations spread across Golden Quadrilateral and all major National highways with co-existing LNG based CNG stations was laid recently. The Government of India plans to invest Rs 10,000 crores in the next three years in setting up 1,000 LNG Stations in India, Pradhan said.