Odisha’s First CNG Station Inaugurated

Kalinga TV News Network

Bhubaneswar: Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday inaugurated Odisha’s first Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations at Chandrasekharpur and Patia area here to supply CNG to vehicles. In a first of its kind, the Minister also launched CNG-run scooters in the city today.

Significantly, Bhubaneswar has become the fourth city in India to get CNG supply. Cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai have these facilities before.

Speaking on the occasion, Pradhan said, “CNG, being an economical and environment friendly fuel, will be Happy Fuel for every user, particularly the auto rickshaw owners in the city. At least, 30 per cent of fuel cost will be reduced from their pocket. ”

The Union Government has also taken steps to facilitate the CNG users by providing financial assistance, the Minister claimed.

“To make it convenient for people to convert their two-wheelers to CNG, GAIL has associated with Bank of Maharasthra to launch a unique financing scheme which will enable the user to convert his or her scooter by paying an EMI of Rs. 500/- every month,” Pradhan said.

The commencement of supply of CNG in this city is a major step towards the fulfillment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of developing a gas-based economy and linking Eastern India to the country’s Natural Gas Grid, he added.

Over the coming years, 25 CNG stations will be commissioned in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack to supply CNG to vehicles, Ashutosh Karnatak, Director (Projects) of GAIL (India) Limited stated yesterday.

On Sunday, the Minister will lay the foundation stones for new Dhamra – Angul main gas line and Bhubaneshwar – Cuttack – Paradip gas line at Jamulanda village of Sukinda area in Jajpur district, as a part of the ambitious Jagdishpur-Haldia and Bokaro-Dhamra natural gas pipe line (JHBDPL) project.

Dr. Ashutosh Karnatak and other senior GAIL officials including K.B. Singh, S. K. Pathak, and A. K. Srivastava were present on the occasion.