City gas distribution network in Orissa in 3-4 years

Distribution of city gas is likely to be a reality in some cities of Orissa in the next 3-4 years. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), the upstream regulator for the petroleum sector, has identified nine locations in the state for development of the city gas distribution network (CGD).

Addressing media persons here, Lalit Mansingh, chairman, PNGRB said, “We have identified nine growth areas- Bhubaneswar, Khurda, Rourkela, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Anandpur, Baripada, Balasore and Kamakhyanagar for the development of CGD network in the state. I had discussions with the state chief minister Naveen Patnaik in this connection and the state government has assured us that it will play a pro-active role in the process. The CGD network in the state should become a reality within 3-4 years”

The CGD network would involve the distribution of compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquified natural gas for domestic and industrial use.

This is expected to be done through two proposed pipelines- the 1100-km Kakinada-Haldia pipeline of Reliance Industries Limited which will have a network of 434 km in Orissa and the 1700-km Surat-Paradip pipeline which would have a length of 400 km in the state.

Kakinada-Haldia pipeline is scheduled for commissioning by 2012, the Surat-Paradip pipeline is set to be completed by 2014.