Poor infra hits CNG users

More distribution points and compressors needed, say consumers

LUCKNOW: The Green Gas Limited has failed to improve its infrastructure in the state capital, as a result of which those who own CNG vehicles have to queue up and wait for hours to get the tanks filled.

The complaint of low pressure supply in CNG outlets is becoming louder with each passing day. Low pressure means more time and less quality.

At present, the city has a supply of 8,200 kg of CNG per day. The demand is growing by 10 % every year and so the centre has given a 10% additional quota to Lucknow to meet the growing demand. But it seems to have done little good.

The CNG supply in Lucknow is limited to a few pumps in Ashiana, Nadarganj, Vibhutikhand (Gomti Nagar) and Chinhat and there are huge crowds at these outlets. The need is to improve the distribution system, which GGL has failed to do.

“It is important to increase distribution points and number of compressors in the city, so that the problem of low pressure and long queues is solved. Today, there are more than 1,81,44 registered CNG vehicles in the city. Besides that, there may be more than 200 unregistered vehicles using CNG as fuel. The number of CNG vehicles has doubled in the past two years but the infrastructure has remained the same,” said Ashish, owner of a CNG car.

However, MD Green Gas R Chaddha said, “I have just taken over in Lucknow and have ensured that an extra compressor is installed at Gomti Nagar mother station for improving pressure in nearby pumps. I have also ensured three dispensing point in the rear portion of CNG outlets exclusively for roadways buses so that the distribution of CNG to the common man is not affected.”

“But owing to statutory clearances, the compressor and three distribution points cannot be used. Environmental clearance is awaited for that,” said Chaddha.

He said an additional compressor had been installed in Nadarganj too but again the facility could not be used due to non availability of statutory clearance.

He said the CNG stations on Rae Bareli Road , mother station in Vrindavan Yojana 6, another mother station in Vrindavan Yojana -18 and filling stations at Buddheshwar, Mohan Road, Kanpur Road and Sultanpur Road were ready but all of them were awaiting some sort of a clearance.

“The CNG station on Rae Bareli Road is waiting for license from Nagpur, which is expected in a few days,” he said.

He said with commissioning of these pumps, the crowd in the outlets would be reduced and supply of CNG would be ensured at good pressure.

Chaddha said that for GGL, Lucknow was a place where CNG infrastructure had to be strengthened.

So in the near future, more CNG stations were expected to come up in the city.