The Hindu : National : 200 cities to get CNG, PNG by 2015

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Monday, Jun 29, 2009
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200 cities to get CNG, PNG by 2015

Sandeep Joshi

Plan to ensure total LPG coverage of towns with a population of over 5 lakh

At present, CNG is supplied to 35 cities
Plan to check pilferage of PDS kerosene

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has chalked out an ambitious plan to bring 200 cities under the supply network for compressed natural gas (CNG) and piped natural gas (PNG) by 2015.

In the Ministry’s oil sector ‘Vision 2015 — For Consumer Satisfaction and Beyond,’ it has been decided to spread the CNG and PNG distribution network across the country so that more vehicles could use the green fuel and households were made less dependent on LPG.

At present, CNG is supplied to 35 cities and is used in over 5 lakh vehicles, while 8.6 lakh households are supplied with PNG. The government has now decided to increase the supply of CNG and PNG multi-fold so that more than 200 cities could be covered by 2015.

Similarly, the vision document, finalised by Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Murli Deora, targets to bring 5.5 crore new subscribers under the LPG net by 2015 and raise the LPG population coverage from 50 to 75 per cent. The total number of LPG customers would reach 16 crore, with most of the new connections being released in rural areas as urban areas are largely covered.

Similarly, an ambitious plan has been prepared to ensure 100 per cent LPG coverage of all towns with a population over 5 lakh. The corporate social responsibility fund of government-sector oil companies will be used to provide support to poor households to switch over from kerosene to LPG, while the oil companies will approach all registered kerosene customers directly and offer them LPG connections.

There are plans to introduce booking of LPG cylinders through SMS as well as a common toll-free three-digit telephone number for registering customer complaints all over India.

Oil PSUs will also introduce anti-pilferage devices for LPG throughout the country while promoting better, energy-efficient LPG stoves.

To check pilferage, it is also looking at the possibility of a direct cash transfer of subsidy on kerosene, to beneficiaries in rural areas.

The Ministry is studying the feasibility of introducing packaged supply of kerosene in 5 litre recoverable packs to prevent diversion of PDS kerosene.

To ensure that kerosene reached the targeted beneficiaries, distribution against biometric smart cards will be started in large cities. The programme will be implemented by all oil companies in association with State governments.

On the exploration and production front, the vision document says ONGC will endeavour to double its crude and gas production by 2015, while its overseas arm — ONGC Videsh Limited — will also try to double its crude and gas production.

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