OMCs to spread cooking gas network to rural areas: Pradhan

State-run oil marketing companies will work to spread the cooking gas (LPG) network in rural areas to ensure greater access, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said Thursday.

Speaking here on World Environment Day, the petroleum minister said that towards popularising viable alternatives to the use of kerosene and fuel wood, the ministry will encourage usage of renewable energy sources for lighting and LPG for cooking in the rural areas.

The use of LPG, or liquefied petroleum gas, continues to be concentrated in the urban areas of the country.

According to an official release, the minister also said that efforts would be made to develop green belts around major installations like refineries for mitigating pollution.

"It would be the ministry's effort to introduce piped natural gas supply for domestic, commercial and industrial consumption, thereby reducing the adverse impact on environment," Pradhan said.