No pipeline for gas supply to units near Kaziranga, NGT told

Lack of infrastructure like pipelines and meagre availability of gas are hurdles in supply of natural gas to tea units around Kaziranga which were shut down last year for using coal and wood, the National Green Tribunal was today informed by Assam Gas Company Ltd.
The claim, which was supported by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) as well, was opposed by the Indian Tea Association which said Assam Gas Company Ltd (AGCL) is already supplying natural gas to 20 other units in Golaghat district of Assam where the tea manufacturers are also located.
On hearing the contentions of the two sides, a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar directed the association to file within two weeks the names of the 20 units which are purportedly getting gas supply from AGCL.

The bench was hearing the plea of tea units around the Kaziranga National Park which were shut down for using wood and coal for their operation and had moved the tribunal seeking directions for supply of natural gas to them.
The bench remarked that if AGCL is supplying gas to others in the area then it cannot be unfair to the tea units located in the same region.
The NGT will now take up the matter on October 11.

Yesterday, the Centre, ONGC and AGCL had been directed by the NGT to clarify whether natural gas can be supplied to tea industries around Kaziranga.

During the day's proceedings, the association contended that AGCL is supplying gas to 20 other industrial units in the same area where the tea units are located and is also charging gas supply/consumption and infrastructure charges from them.
It also contended that there is enough natural gas available in the area and that it is being wasted.
The AGCL and ONGC refuted the contentions saying natural gas is available in very small pockets and exploring them is not a viable option as production would not last for more than three years.