IOC to set up city gas infra in UP

Public sector behemoth Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Uttar Pradesh government for exploring and executing piped domestic gas projects in the state.

For IOC, General Manager (Gas) R K Tikku, Chief Manager (Gas) R K Zutshi and Deputy General Manager (Consumer Sales) S H Riyaz signed on the dotted line. On behalf of Uttar Pradesh, the MoU was signed by Principal Secretary (Industrial Development) Sanjeev Saran.

The memorandum of understanding is aimed at developing natural gas infrastructure and a better distribution network. The Akhilesh Yadav government wants to give priority to the distribution of natural gas to domestic consumers and the signing of the MoU with Indian Oil Corporation is a step in the direction.

A joint team would be constituted towards the execution of city gas projects in Allahabad and major urban centres in Uttar Pradesh.

IOC would lay gas pipelines and set up Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations after due diligence. In fact, an IOC joint venture had already started groundwork in Allahabad and the domestic consumers there are expected to be supplied piped natural gas in the next one-and-a-half years. Besides, industrial consumers would be supplied natural gas.

The state government would also draft an action plan to boost the use of natural gas in the state, which is currently faced with shortages and pilferage in the energy segment.

GAS BOOST

• The MoU is aimed at developing natural gas infrastructure and a better distribution network
• IOC would lay gas pipelines and set up compressed natural gas stations after due diligence
• The state government would draft an action plan to increase the use of natural gas in the state
• A joint team would be constituted to execute city gas projects in Allahabad and major urban centres