PM Narendra Modi Lays Foundation Stone of City Gas Distribution Projects
Udupi: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today laid Foundation Stones of City Gas Distribution (CGD) Projects in 65 Geographical Areas (GAs) in 129 Districts including Udupi District under the 9th CGD Bidding Round, remotely from the Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. During the event, PMn Modi also launched the 10th CGD Bidding Round in 50 GAs spread over 124 districts in 14 states.
The Prime Minister’s Foundation Stone laying function of the City Gas Distribution (CGD) in 129 Districts including Udupi District was organized through live telecast system at Beedinagudde Mahatma Gandhi Open stadium.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi said that the work for setting up City Gas Distribution network has started in 129 districts, under the 9th round of CGD bidding. He added that after the 10th round of bidding of CGD, more than 400 districts would be covered under the City Gas Distribution network, covering around seventy percent of the population.
Stressing that the nation is now moving towards Gas Based Economy, Prime Minister said that the Union Government is paying attention towards all dimensions of Gas Based Economy. Explaining the role of Gas Based Economy in moving towards Clean Energy, Prime Minister said that CGD network will play a major role in achieving Clean Energy solutions. He further added that the Union Government’s efforts towards Clean Energy are broad-based. In this context, he mentioned various Clean Energy initiatives of the Union Government like Ethanol Blending, Compressed Bio Gas plants, increased LPG coverage and the introduction of BS-6 fuels for automobiles.
The Prime Minister said that more than twelve crore LPG connections were provided in the last four years. He mentioned that Gas networks in cities create a new ecosystem, one that enables gas-based industries, generates employment to youth and provides ease of living to citizens.
Further speaking, the Prime Minister said that the Government would strive to fulfill the targets for Clean Energy and Gas Based Economy. Adding that such targets need to be fulfilled not just for ourselves, but for the whole of humanity and the future generations.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan said that the Government is working to move towards the gas-based economy. Presently the share of gas in the country’s energy mix is just over 6% and the aim is to reach the 15% figure, while the world average is 24%. He said that the Prime Minister has assured the world that India will take initiative to bring down its carbon emission level, and a number of initiatives have been taken in this direction like LED bulbs, BS VI fuel, Bio-energy, International Solar Alliance, Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana, and providing clean piped gas supply to more cities is also a step in this direction. The Minister also mentioned enhancing the LNG terminal capacity, renegotiating Indo-Qatar Gas deal, and positive Indo-US engagement in this direction. He said that efforts are not only being made to increase the use and supply of Gas but also to produce gas through agro-wastes and other products and including the same into the CGD network.
The government of India has put thrust to promote the usage of environment-friendly clean fuel i.e. natural gas as a fuel/feedstock across the country to move towards a gas based economy. Accordingly, development of CGD networks has been focused to increase the availability of cleaner cooking fuel (i.e. PNG) and transportation fuel (i.e. CNG) to the citizens of the country. The expansion of CGD network will also benefit industrial and commercial units by ensuring uninterrupted supply of natural gas.
Kishore Alva welcoming the dignitaries informed that energy is very important for our progress. Statistics show that almost three-fourths of the demands of the energy in the world is fulfilled by fossil fuels. The overuse of these fossil fuels is clearly evident in the deteriorating environmental condition. Industries are not the only force to be blamed for this situation. Our choices of fuels for our vehicles and domestic application are also contributing to the growing environmental problems. Making smarter choices is the need of the hour, he added.
He further told that at the household levels, many are still waiting to be enrolled by a gas agency, while in rural areas; food is cooked on polluting coal, wood or dung fires. Traditional fuels are thermally inefficient; a substantial amount of fuel carbon is lost to incomplete combustion. The use of these traditional fuels causes worsening of air quality, negatively impacting the local environment and human health, particularly among women and children due to their exposure and close contact with burning fuels.
Kishore also informed that as compared to a Liquefied Petroleum Gas cylinder, Piped Natural Gas is a cost-effective, safer and more economical choice. Moreover, the nonstop supply of PNG will also help everyone to overcome the need to book and wait for cylinder replacement or for changing the bottles in between cooking. CNG is a clear, odourless, non-corrosive fuel. It is also a cheaper, cleaner and more efficient alternative to the traditional fuels used in vehicles. CNG gas also reduces the emission of Carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.
Expressing gratitude to Hon’ble Prime Minister, Alva told that the usage of PNG will simplify the lives of millions of women in our country. It will also take PNG supplies to Hotels, Religious places, Restaurants, Industries, Crematorium and Homes. Moreover, by giving up your LPG connections and taking up a PNG, you can help gas reach distant corners of our nation. On the other hand, CNG will help us save money and our priceless environment too.
Alva informed that Adani is focusing on developing Natural Gas distribution projects across various cities in the country for customers in industrial, commercial, domestic and transport sector. It has already set up city gas distribution networks in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Faridabad & Khurja.In the recently held 9th bidding Round for City Gas Distribution across India, we successfully bagged Surendranagar District, Barwala & Ranpur Talukas, Navsari, Surat, Tapi & the Dang Districts, Kheda & Mahisagar Districts, Porbandar, Balasore, Bhadrak & Mayurbhanj, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri & Mahendragarh, Nuh & Palwal, Udupi, Bilwara & Bundi, Chittorgarh & Udaipur, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam & Thiruvarur, he added.
Mentioning the highlights of the Project for Udupi District that Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections to 1,10,099 households, 11 CNG Retail Outlets and 569 kms. length steel pipeline, Alva informed that Adani shall be investing in excess of Rs. 8000 Crores in the coming 8 to 10 years to develop the City Gas Distribution Projects which shall generate close to 10,000 new jobs directly or indirectly. “With greener and cleaner fuels, we are committed to transforming our nation in a responsible manner” – Alva added.
Alva further informed that with this new project, Adani’s investment in Karnataka has reached nearly Rs. 52,000 crores including Rs. 11,500 crores for UPCL expansion, Rs. 20,000 crores for Solar Project, which has commissioned 850 MW, investment at NMPT for additional cargo handling.
Shobha Karandlaje spoke on the occasion and informed that everyone should feel proud that Hon’ble Prime Minister has extended the mega City Gas Distribution Project to Udupi District. This project will ease the residents of entire district, she told. She also told that Adani which has already got set-up in Udupi and the District will be further benefitted with the Gas pipeline project.
Raghupati Bhat informed that the entire residents of Udupi District are lucky enough that they are getting the dream project of Hon’ble Prime Minister to their district. He told that the project execution will soon be taken-up and the residents will start getting connections by the end of next year.
Kota Srinivasa Poojary spoke and informed that this project is a very handy to all households and industrialists and also to the vehicle users.
Udupi – Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje, Udupi MLA Raghupathi Bhat, Byndoor MLA Sukumar Shetty, MLC and leader of opposition in Legislative council Kota Srinivas Poojary, former MP Jayaprakash Hegde, Kishore Alva, Uday Kumar Shetty, Nalini Pradeep Rao, Sheela K Shetty, Someshekar Bhat and others were present.”
