Bangalore transport network to embrace CNG soon

To begin with, 25 filling stations will be set up to supply gas to buses

The government of Karnataka plans to gradually convert the public transport system in Bangalore city to CNG (compressed natural gas) on the lines of Delhi and Mumbai. The government, through a joint venture between Karnataka State Industrial Investment and Development Corporation (KSIIDC) and Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) proposes to implement the project.

The state government, in collaboration with GAIL will set up 25 CNG filling stations across Bangalore city to supply gas to the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), chief minister Siddaramaiah said.

Talking to reporters after reviewing various oil and gas projects with Union minister for petroleum and natural gas M Veerappa Moily, state ministers and officials from KSIIDC and GAIL, here at the weekend, said, the number of CNG stations will be increased to 65 gradually. CNG-run buses will run on Bangalore roads after five months.

GAIL has started supplying gas through the Dabhol-Bangalore gas pipeline com- missioned in February this year. GAIL and the KSIIDC had entered into a joint venture in this regard on June 8, 2011. This JV company will implement the City Gas Distribution projects for automobiles and piped natural gas (PNG) to households in all cities and towns in the state.

The GAIL has already completed the assessment ô requirement of gas for the cities and towns. The government of Karnataka has already asked the Central government to allow the state to implement CNG stations and supply gas to households and hotels.

"The inefficiency of Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) in delaying the authorisation of Bangalore city should not be allowed to become a handicap for the effective utilisation of public money. The delay in this authorisation is den- ying the accrual of the benefit of already invested public money to the people of Karnataka," Siddaramaiah said.

The supply of CNG has become an immediate requ- irement in Bangalore city which is plagued by high pollution, similar to the cities of Delhi and Mumbai in early 2000, he said.

Karnataka will not spare any effort to extend full cooperation to the JV company like the governments of Delhi and Maharashtra, which have extended substantial support in the form of tax benefits, he added.

As a first step, the buses run by the BMTC and KSRTC will be converted to CNG. The JV company will require land to set up the CNG stations and the state government is committed to providing land at KSRTC and BMTC bus depots and at other identified places wherever required. Siddaramaiah said, 300 new buses that the state would get under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission would be run on CNG.

"I would like to request Union minister to use his good offices and allocate domestic gas to this joint venture company and KPCL, Bidadi Plant. Perhaps, KPCL, Bidadi Plant will be the only wtate-run natural gas-based power plant. So there is no reason why domestic gas should not be allocated to it," he said.

B C Tripathi, chairman and managing director, GAIL, said gas would also be supplied to the proposed the 700 Mw gas-based Bidadi power plant and to the 450 Mw Yelahanka plant, presentl;y shut because of pollution issues.

Veerappa Moily said an additional pipeline would be laid from Chitradurga to Udupi passing through Shimoga and Mangalore at a cost Rs 1,400 crore. There are plans to have another 140-km pipeline from Chitradurga to Bellary, which would cost Rs 700 crore.