Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today said almost half of Odisha would be covered in the 9th City Gas Distribution (CGD) bidding round which will reduce pollution and create job opportunities in the state.
Oil regulator Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has identified seven geographical areas covering 17 districts of Odisha for 9th CGD Bidding Round for investors, Pradhan said at a roadshow for the Bidding Round.
The 17 districts are Angul, Dhenkanal, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Bargarh, Debagarh, Sambalpur, Ganjam, Nayagarh, Puri, Jagatsinghapur, Kendrapara, Jajpur and Keonjhar.
"Almost half of Odisha will be covered in this round. This will reduce pollution, while gas based industries will rise in numbers creating employment opportunities in the state," he said.
The government on May 8 opened for bidding the biggest CGD licensing round, offering 86 permits for selling CNG and piped cooking gas in 174 districts in 22 states and union territories.
Stating that the Centre has a clear vision for the future of India's energy sector and country's energy security, Pradhan said government is working to ensure that all people have access to clean, affordable and reliable energy, and to make India a haven for investments across the energy sector.
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He said the PNGRB has envisaged a phased roll out plan for development of CGD networks in several parts of the country including the cities approved under SMART cities programme for which 9th CGD Bidding Round is being conducted.
CGD networks for identified cities are also being considered in a phased manner depending on the natural gas pipeline connectivity/ natural gas availability, he said.
Meanwhile, Pradhan inaugurated two Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations in the city.
With this, four CNG-dispensing stations have become commercially operational in the twin city of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
These CNG stations would provide cheaper, environment-friendly and safe fuel to CNG-run auto-rickshaws, Pradhan said adding that an auto-rickshaw driver can save Rs 3,000 per month towards fuel cost if he uses CNG.
Pradhan said five more CNG stations will be set up in the state.