A PRAISEWORTHY INITIATIVE

This is in reference to the article, ‘A comprehensive blueprint’. The vision of the National Gas Grid is indeed praiseworthy. A national network of gas pipelines, which will ensure availability and accessibility to everyone in every corner of the country, is no doubt a much-needed initiative but the ongoing fuel price increase forces one to retrospect about the utility of the grid. Even today at CNG pumps, we frequently see long queues due to non-availability of gas, low pressure and other recurring issues. Households routinely share complaints of gas supply being stopped due to ongoing work or technical issues. The government, while building the infrastructure, needs to ensure that it provides the right incentive for usage of the same by ensuring a stable price. Also, we should build futuristic monitoring solutions like AI/ML and engage in metaverse monitoring of these networks lest gas supply companies go the same way as power discoms. The government needs to ensure a robust collection and maintenance network, lest the taxpayers keep funding one more loss-making initiative of the government.

— GAURAV GUPTA, GURUGRAM via email