Gas has reached 174 districts, will reach 400 in next 2-3 years: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the number of districts covered under City Gas Distribution has risen to 174 districts at present from 66 till 2014. He further added that in the next 2-3 years the reach will spread to 400 districts, which will cover 70 per cent of the country's population.

Prime Minister addressed the gathering at the foundation stone laying of City Gas Distribution (CGD) projects in 65 geographical areas in 129 districts under the 9th CGD bidding round recently awarded by Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board and also launched 10th CGD bidding round in 50 geographical areas spread over 124 districts in 14 states.

 

"The government is paying attention to all aspects of gas based economy. To strengthen the gas infrastructure of the country, work is being done simultaneously to increase the number of liquefied natural gas terminals and work on the network of Nationwide Gas Grid and City Gas Distribution," said Prime Minister Modi.

Targeting the Opposition, Prime Minister said that till 2014 only 13 crore LPG connections were given, whereas 12 crore families have been provided the facility in the last four years.

Continuing his tirade, Modi stated that in 2014 people not only changed the government, but also changed the way in which policies are implemented, the style and culture by which it functions.

"In the last 60 years which is till 2014, only 13 crore LPG connections were given, whereas our government has provided 12 crore connections in the last four years. There has been no change in resources yet we have provided these many connections. The coverage of domestic gas till 2014 was 55 per cent which has now increased to 90 per cent," Modi asserted.

Emphasising on the importance of clean energy and compressed biogas, he said, "Our attempts to expand the usage of clean energy are comprehensive. We are working towards the conversion of waste from our farming system to compressed bio gas; because of this we will have 5000 compressed bio gas plants in the next five years."

He further elucidated that these facilities will not only help in upscaling the quality of life, but will also boost employment prospects, along with increasing chances of establishment of industries which use gas as a raw material.

"When the gas reaches a city it creates an ecosystem. The chances of setting up a business which requires gas increase. The gas which reaches people directly through a pipe makes their life easier. People involved in laying down these pipelines get jobs as well."

The Prime Minister added that the government has pledged and is committed to fulfilling the goals associated with gas based economy and clean energy. Further substantiating the need to accomplish these goals, he said: "We need to do this not only for the welfare of the country but for the betterment of mankind and future generations.