Hardeep Singh Puri Inaugurates 201 CNG Stations and India’s First Small-Scale LNG Unit

New Delhi: Hardeep Singh Puri, the Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Housing & Urban Affairs, marked a significant stride toward India’s transition to a gas-based economy by inaugurating 201 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations and India’s maiden Small-Scale Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Unit. The dedication ceremony took place through a virtual event, emphasizing the government’s commitment to achieving energy security and sustainable growth.

In his address, Minister Hardeep Singh Puri reiterated the government’s vision to increase the share of natural gas in the primary energy basket to 15% by 2030. He emphasized the critical role of the National Gas Grid (NGG) and an extensive City Gas Distribution (CGD) network in realizing the goal of a gas-based economy.

The 201 CNG stations, dedicated to the nation, have been established by 15 City Gas Distribution (CGD) entities of the GAIL group across 52 Geographical Areas in 17 states. GAIL (India) Limited, a key player in the initiative, set up India’s first Small-Scale LNG Unit at its Vijaipur LPG plant.

Among the CGD entities, GAIL Gas Limited, Indraprastha Gas Limited, GAIL, and Mahanagar Gas Limited have contributed substantially, operating 53, 50, 43, and 20 CNG stations, respectively. The collaborative efforts of various entities have resulted in the establishment of CNG stations in multiple states, enhancing accessibility and availability of cleaner and sustainable fuel.

The Minister commended GAIL for its innovative approach in setting up the Small-Scale LNG unit in Vijaipur, Madhya Pradesh, with a project cost of Rs. 150 crores. This technology holds the potential to connect isolated gas sources with markets and consumers, contributing to the monetization of resources.

Hardeep Singh Puri emphasized India’s commitment to continually improve policies and regulatory environments to support cleaner and sustainable fuel accessibility. The inauguration of the CNG stations reflects collective efforts to reduce the carbon footprint and address climate change challenges.

Looking ahead, the Minister noted that the country aims to have around 17,500 CNG stations and approximately 120 million PNG (Domestic) connections by 2030, promoting the development of ancillary industries and contributing to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.