Environment ministry not a hurdle for gas E&P projects: Prakash Javadekar

Minister also informed that the final notification regarding switching over to EURO VI by 2020, will be issued soon

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Thursday said his department will be proactive in providing clearances to gas exploration and production (E&P) projects.

"For production, finding or drilling of gas, whatever permission is required, today I would (give). I give you this blank cheque. If you abide by environment rules, you will get clearance without any hurdle," Javadekar said while addressing a function to launch a pilot project to run two-wheelers on CNG.

"We have no pending cases on environment clearance (for gas E&P projects). The environment department will not be a hurdle in your way, rather, it would support you," the minister said.

Lauding the efforts of the Oil Ministry for launch of the project, the minister said, "The court will open after July 15. This matter will come there. The court will acknowledge the action plan of the government to deal with pollution.

The court is also sensitive to these issues. Pollution cannot be stopped by just switching on or off. It is a process which has been started by the Modi government. I believe unnecessary sanctions will be withdrawn," Javadekar said.

The minister also informed that the final notification regarding switching over to EURO VI (emission norms) by 2020, will be issued soon.

"Since CNG is available, we thought of using it for two-wheelers as the e-rickshaw use is increasing. This indicates intention of the government to fight pollution. There are 55 lakh two wheelers (Delhi)."

Elaborating on the pilot project, Oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, "Government is not giving subsidy for CNG run two-wheelers. These two-wheelers would be 40% more economical than the petrol ones. Thus, the consumers will save on fuel cost."

Implemented by Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGL) and one of its parent company – GAIL (India) Ltd – the pilot involves 50 CNG retrofitted two-wheelers. Of these, the first batch of 10 vehicles was flagged off by Javadekar and Pradhan at the IGL filling station at CGO Complex here.

According to the idle emission test, hydrocarbon emission from CNG retrofitted two-wheelers are 75% lesser and CO emissions are 20% lesser as compared to petrol driven similar models.

The CNG kit for two-wheelers comprises two CNG cylinders and vehicles can travel up to 120 km in a single fill.

IGL also said that as many as 92 new CNG filling stations have been set up in the region during January-May, 2016, thereby taking the number of CNG fuelling facilities of IGL to 414.