25 CNG stations to come up in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack

Bhubaneswar, Dec 15 (IANS) As many as 25 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations will come up in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack in Odisha, an official said on Friday.

Gas Authority of India Ltd Director (Projects) Ashutosh Karnatak said while 15 CNG stations would be commissioned in Bhubaneswar, ten will be set up in Cuttack.

Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will launch two CNG stations at Chandrasekharpur and Patia in Bhubaneswar on Saturday to provide the cheaper, environment-friendly and safer fuel to CNG-run scooters and auto rickshaws.

On Sunday, the Minister will also lay the foundation stones for the new Dhamra-Angul 36 inch main line and the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Paradip 12 inch spur line -- which are part of this pipeline project.

In addition, GAIL will sign term-sheets with industrial customers for supply of natural gas. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for skill development of local youth was also signed in the presence of the Minister.

"Two more stations are being constructed in Khandagiri and Tamando. Over the coming years, 25 CNG stations will be commissioned in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack," said Karnatak.

He said that GAIL is implementing the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga and also the City Gas Distribution (CGD) projects in the two cities.

"Initially, natural gas will reach Bhubaneswar in special containers called 'cascades' transported by road from Vijaywada in Andhra Pradesh.

"Later, it will be supplied through the 2,655 km long Jagdishpur-Haldia and Bokaro-Dhamra Natural Gas Pipeline (JHBDPL), popularly known as the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga," he said.

The overall capital expenditure for the Bhubaneswar and Cuttack CGD projects will be Rs 1,700 crore, of which Rs 400 crore will be spent in the next three to five years.

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