Pradhan launches 'Gas4India' campaign to boost natural gas use

Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday launched the 'Gas4India' campaign that is aimed at promoting the use of natural gas in the country and said the country "will move towards a gas-based economy".

"The country is moving towards a gas-based economy, and it is working to increase the share of gas in the country's energy basket from the present 6.5 per cent," he said, launching the website, Twitter handle, Facebook page and theme song of the campaign.

"Gas4India is a unified cross-country, multimedia, multi-event campaign to communicate the national, social, economic and ecological benefits of using natural gas as the fuel of choice to every citizen," the petroleum ministry said regarding the campaign.

The campaign includes social engagement via Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, LinkedIn, and its official blogsite, as well as hyper local, offline events to directly connect with consumers through discussions, workshops and cultural events, it said.

"Besides the move to enhance gas production, the government is promoting a nation-wide gas grid and setting up gas infrastructure," Pradhan said.

He said that state-run gas utility GAIL has already finished the tendering process for a gas grid and actual process of laying pipelines will begin soon.

"Government is going to take steps to harness synthetic gas from coal-bed methane, and also promote bio-CNG (compressed natural gas) and bio-PNG (piped natural gas)," he added.

The minister noted that three new liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals are also coming up in the country.

"India has entered into long term contracts and acquired assets abroad to ensure unhindered supply of gas at reasonable prices," he said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Pradhan met here with senior officials and representatives from 20 major cities to discuss maters related to PNG, the ministry said.

"The issues of road cutting fee, uniform tax for PNG and provisioning of PNG infrastructure for upcoming smart cities were discussed," the statement added.

--IANS

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