GSPC Gas to cover central Rajkot by 2013

The Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC)-owned GSPC Gas is set to cover the entire central Rajkot by end of 2013. For this the company is aiming to add more than 30,000 new connections in Rajkot. "We have started working in central Rajkot and so far about 6000 new connections has been given out, thereby covering two areas of central Rajkot," said Urvish Pandya, project manager, GSPC Gas.

The company is believed to be preferring domestic connection. "We will connect residential areas first and then we will move to industrial areas located in central Rajkot,” Pandya said further.

While it began installation work in central Rajkot 3-4 months back, GSPC Gas has so far completed 70 percent work in Rail Nagar and Parasana Nagar. Currently, the company's installation work is going on at Bhaktinagar, and Sorathiyawadi areas.

"The work is going bit slow as these are the old areas of Rajkot where streets are small and water, telephone and other lines are already passing in it. First we are examining all the areas and then start our gas line installation," Pandya added.

By end of March-2012, GSPC Gas will add 5000 new residential connection of central Rajkot. According to Pandya, the company has about 76000 residential and around 470 commercial connections in Rajkot city. By end of 2013, GSPC is targeting to add 30000-35000 new connection and aim to reach in about 125,000 residences.

Pandya said, "We have covered almost all the industrial areas of the city and. There are very few areas to be cover and we are working on it."

Earlier minister of state for industry Saurabh Patel said, "GSPC will set up 50 new CNG gas stations in Saurashtra region of Gujarat on franchisee model. There are 39 gas stations in Saurashtra and region will have 50 more new CNG filling stations soon, of which Rajkot city will have six while Rajkot district will have 24 such CNG outlets while Morbi and Surendranagar will be having 10 stations each."

GSPC will invest Rs 250 crore on developing the CNG stations and lay distribution network, besides infrastructure for it, in Rajkot and Surendranagar districts, he said.