INDIA TO SEE RS 4 LAKH CR INVESTMENT IN GAS INFRASTRUCTURE, SAYS PRADHAN

India will see an investment of over Rs 4 lakh crore in development of gas supply and distribution infrastructure in the next five years as it chases the target of more than doubling the share of the environment-friendly fuel in its energy basket to 15% by 2030, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Thursday.

Speaking at a national conclave on emerging opportunities in the natural gas sector, he said the 11th round of city gas distribution licensing bidding will shortly be launched that will help extend the supply of CNG to automobiles and piped cooking gas to household kitchens in 475 districts from current 400.

Natural gas currently constitutes 6.2% of all energy consumption in the country.

Stating that the government has laid emphasis on developing a gas-based economy, he said natural gas is gradually becoming a bridging fuel for low carbon economy in India.

The government is giving special impetus to develop gas infrastructure across the length and breadth of the country connecting North to South and East to West parts of India, he said. "Over Rs 4 lakh crore of investment is in pipelines in the next five years." These investments will go into building gas pipeline, liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facilities and city gas distribution (CGD) distribution infrastructure.

"A gas-based future has multidimensional benefits for the society and economy. Natural gas will yield a positive impact on the environment, lower health spending and usher new opportunities of economic and social development," he said.

The CGD network, which covered 66 districts in 2014, now extends to 407 districts after the successful 9th and 10th licensing round. "Soon the 11th CGD bid round will be announced which will help extend the CGD network to 475 districts in the country," he said.