Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Ltd (GSPC) has decided to diversify into compressed natural gas (CNG) and piped natural gas (PNG) businesses.
The company is setting up a CNG refuelling station at Ichchapore village on Surat-Hazira road, which is slated to be commissioned by this December. Further, it is planning to set up a large chain of CNG refuelling stations across the state by 2004.
"The CNG stations will not be in the line of typical gas stations in the country. We have already asked a specialised organisation to design these refuelling stations, which will have additional amenities such as restaurants, car-wash centres, mechanics and other entertainment provisions," said D J Pandian, managing director of GSPCL.
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Pandian said a company survey had revealed that it will get huge revenue boost from the CNG entry.
GSPC is also planning to enter the LPG market by introducing its PNG, which is expected to be cheaper and readily available for households.
"With the availability of plenty of natural gas in the Hazira area, on the west of Surat, considering its wide usage in various industries, GSPC is using its infrastructure in setting up PNG network to cater to the domestic as well as commercial needs. To begin with, we are planning to lay PNG network in Hazira village, Essar Township, Gujarat State Energy Corporation's township, NTPC Township, Kribhco Colony, Heap Township which will provide us large ready consumers," said Pandian.
Even other villages such as Mora, Suvali, Junagam, Bhatlai, Damka, Vansva, Kawas and Ichchhapor will get the GSPC's PNG in the first phase of commissioning.
"This project will help the locals to receive domestic gas in their homes easily, which in turn will give us a revenue boost," Pandian said.