Mahanagar Gas to ramp up network in Mumbai

Petroleum Minister Murli Deora has asked Mahanagar Gas (MGL) to expedite the network expansion in Mumbai and its neighbouring areas and finish work by 2008.

At a meeting with senior MGL executives, Deora said the network expansion will have a deterring effect on diversion of bottled liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which can be better utilised in rural areas where piped gas will take time to reach. Owing to the current distribution of piped natural gas (PNG), nearly 25 lakh LPG cylinders per annum are available for redeployment to smaller towns.

At present, MGL supplies PNG to over 2,46,000 homes, 717 small commercial & industrial establishments and compressed natural gas (CNG) to over 1,65,000 vehicles in Mumbai, Thane and Mira-Bhayandar through its distribution network of about 200 km of steel and 1,800 km of MDPE pipeline system.

The rapid expansion plans of MGL are expected to significantly improve gas (PNG and CNG) availability and pipeline connectivity in Mumbai and adjoining areas of Thane, Mira-Bhayandar.

In Chembur, the Mahanagar Gas PNG project was started and it has gradually covered most of the city's western and central suburbs. The company's PNG connections are spread from Bandra to Dahisar and from Sion to Mulund. MGL has also made inroads in south Mumbai with PNG connectivity extending upto Prabhadevi. It plans to adding 50,000 PNG households each year. The MGL PNG project in Mumbai alone will aim to cover over 5,00,000 homes.

The availability of CNG is also planned to be increased from 117 outlets in Mumbai and Thane, to about 150 by December 2006. Currently BEST operates 175 CNG buses in Mumbai and is progressively expected to increase the number of its CNG-run fleet. The use of CNG in the city contributes to a daily reduction of over 6,00,000 kg (600 MT) of pollutants per day.

By 2006-08, MGL will significantly expand its pipeline network and consumer base in areas such as Thane, Mira-Bhayandar, Vashi-Navi Mumbai, Belapur, Taloja, Kalyan-Dombivili, and further to areas such as Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune etc.

MGL has also taken several proactive measures to strengthen 'safety & security' of the existing and new infrastructure to ensure safe & uninterrupted supply of PNG & CNG. For this, an emergency control room with a toll free number 1800 22 99 44 is available 24 hrs a day, 365 days a year.

Established in 1995, MGL is a joint venture between GAIL (India) Ltd, British Gas, and the Maharashtra government.