Centre dedicates 166 CNG stations across 14 states

Tags: National News

Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on 15 July virtually dedicated 166 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations across 14 states of the country. 

Important facts

• These CNG stations have been set up by Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) and nine of its group City Gas Distribution (CGD) companies.

• This is an important step towards expanding the availability of eco-friendly CNG to the transport sector, households and industry in India.

• These CNG stations, commissioned at a cost of Rs 400 crore, will further strengthen the gas based infrastructure and availability of clean fuel in the country.

• This will stimulate the market for CNG vehicles and will have a huge impact on manufacturing, skill development and job creation.

• The number of CNG stations will be increased to eight thousand in the next two years.

• Presently the number of CNG stations has crossed 4500 as compared to 2014 when there were around 900 CNG stations across the country.

Ambitious target of expanding the share of Natural Gas

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set an ambitious target of increasing the share of natural gas in the primary energy mix to 15% to enter a gas-based economy.

• The development of the gas-based economy is expected to play an important role in achieving India's goal of net zero by 2070.

What is Hydrogen Compressed Natural Gas (HCNG)?

• Combination of hydrogen with CNG gives a compound gas known as HCNG.

• It is a mixture of compressed natural gas and 4-9 per cent hydrogen by energy.

• It can also be used as a fuel in internal combustion engines and for home appliances.

• Compared to conventional CNG, the use of H-CNG can reduce carbon monoxide (CO) emissions by up to 70%.

• It is capable of saving up to 5% in fuel.