Dharmendra Pradhan launches the commencement of work for 10th City Gas Distribution bidding round

Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Steel Sh Dharmendra Pradhan on August 26, 2019 launched the commencement of work for 10th City Gas Distribution (CGD) bidding round which will cover 50 Geographical Areas (GAs) in 124 districts.

Background

• Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi had launched the 10^th CGD bidding Round on 22^nd November, 2018.
• Sh Pradhan had distributed Letters of Intent to 12 successful bidders of the round on 1^st March, 2019.
• After the completion of the 10^th round, over 70% of the country’s population and 52.73% of the area will be covered under the CGD.
• As per the minimum work program approved by the PNGRB for the 10^th round, 2.02 crore PNG domestic connections will be provided, 3578 CNG stations will open, and 0.58 lakh Inch-km steel pipeline will be laid.

India 3rd largest energy consumer

• India is the 3rd largest energy consumer of the world, and will become top consumer in a decade.
• The government aims to provide reliable, affordable, sustainable and universal access to clean fuel to all.

Share of gas in the energy mix

• The present share of gas in the energy mix in the country is 6.2% compared to 24% globally, and the aim is to increase share of natural gas to 15% by 2030.
• The hydrogen fuel driven vehicles have already been introduced in the national capital and several auto manufacturers have introduced new CNG models, the minister added.
• Even the coal will continue to have relevance, as Coal gasification plants are being set up. On the policy enablers to promote gas usage in India, Sh Pradhan said that CGD has been granted ‘public Utility’ status.

Domestic Gas Production

• Domestic gas production was 32.87 billion cubic metre in 2018-19, and is likely to go up to 39.3 billion cubic metre in 2020-21. Present LNG terminal capacity of 38.8 MMTPA will be augmented to 52.5 MMTPA in next 3-4 years. Long term contracts have been signed for importing LNG, and its sources are being diversified. The gas grid presently is 16,788 km, and work is in progress for additional 14,788 km.

Recycle Used Cooking Oil

• Bio-diesel is being promoted so as Recycle Used Cooking Oil (RUCO). 2G ethanol plants are being set up to convert surplus foodgrains into fuel.
• Compressed Bio-gas is another field of development. Reiterating the Government’s commitment to meet the COP-21 targets.