OMCs to do pilot study on marketing transparent gas cylinders

State-run oil marketer Hindustan Petroleum Corp has invited bids for conducting a feasibility study on marketing of LPG, or cooking gas, in "composite" or transparent cylinders by state-run oil marketers, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

"Based on the results of the pilot study, OMCs (oil marketing companies) will decide about marketing LPG in composite cylinders," Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

"The pilot study is proposed in the three select markets of Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Pune," he said.

"No additional funds are required as the future course of action for marketing LPG in composite cylinders is not finalised," the minister added.

Oil marketers Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum have been exploring the marketing of transparent cylinders, while the feasibility study is being commissioned given that they are estimated to cost Rs 2,000 - Rs 3,000 for a 5 kg cylinder.

The higher cost of transparent gas cylinders over steel ones, comes with certain advantages like the consumer being able to check the quantity of gas, besides being much lighter in weight.

Moreover, while a steel cylinder can explode, transparent cylinders get punctured, making these safe from risks to life and limb.

--IANS

bc/vt