<p>“Demand for energy is growing day by day. It is natural for a growing economy like that of India. Keeping this in view major (natural gas) pipeline projects are under way in the country, which would add another 7,450 km and 248 million standard cubic metres of gas per day to our gas transport infrastructure,” Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said addressing the Sixth Asia Gas Partnership Summit here.<br /><br />"The challenge for an emerging market like India is to develop pipeline infrastructure in all parts of the country, including in the remote areas, in tandem with increasing supplies. Only then we will be able to secure inclusive growth," he said.<br /><br />The present natural gas transportation infrastructure in the country is around 10,800 km with a capacity to move 270 million standard cubic metres of gas per day.<br />Pointing out natural gas is the fuel of choice today Deora said: “It enhances energy security, it is an efficient fuel for power generation, a cheaper feedstock for industries, a cleaner alternative for vehicles, it reduces air-pollution and, in general, it leads to improved quality of life. <br /><br />"The scenario is fast changing, largely because of the increase in the availability of natural gas and the efforts being made towards expanding the natural gas infrastructure." <br /><br />Referring to measures being taken by the government to augment infrastructure network for supply of natural gas across the country, Deora said infrastructure for import of LNG into the country was being expanded.<br /><br />The capacity of Dahej terminal in Gujarat has been doubled to 10 million tonnes last year.<br />While the work at 2.5 million tonnes Kochi LNG terminal is under way, the Dabhol terminal in Maharashtra will be commissioned soon, Deora indicated.<br /><br />Correspondingly, the LNG re-gasification capacity in the country will reach a level of 20 million tonnes per annum by the year 2011-12 from current 13.5 million tonnes.<br />Referring to efforts to augment supply of gas through pipelines for domestic purposes to urban areas, Deora said currently about 40 cities and towns were covered by CNG.<br /><br />"We intend to provide Piped Natural Gas (PNG) service to 200 more cities. Extension of PNG to large number of big cities and metros would help us to divert LPG supplies to our rural areas," he said.<br /></p>
<p>“Demand for energy is growing day by day. It is natural for a growing economy like that of India. Keeping this in view major (natural gas) pipeline projects are under way in the country, which would add another 7,450 km and 248 million standard cubic metres of gas per day to our gas transport infrastructure,” Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said addressing the Sixth Asia Gas Partnership Summit here.<br /><br />"The challenge for an emerging market like India is to develop pipeline infrastructure in all parts of the country, including in the remote areas, in tandem with increasing supplies. Only then we will be able to secure inclusive growth," he said.<br /><br />The present natural gas transportation infrastructure in the country is around 10,800 km with a capacity to move 270 million standard cubic metres of gas per day.<br />Pointing out natural gas is the fuel of choice today Deora said: “It enhances energy security, it is an efficient fuel for power generation, a cheaper feedstock for industries, a cleaner alternative for vehicles, it reduces air-pollution and, in general, it leads to improved quality of life. <br /><br />"The scenario is fast changing, largely because of the increase in the availability of natural gas and the efforts being made towards expanding the natural gas infrastructure." <br /><br />Referring to measures being taken by the government to augment infrastructure network for supply of natural gas across the country, Deora said infrastructure for import of LNG into the country was being expanded.<br /><br />The capacity of Dahej terminal in Gujarat has been doubled to 10 million tonnes last year.<br />While the work at 2.5 million tonnes Kochi LNG terminal is under way, the Dabhol terminal in Maharashtra will be commissioned soon, Deora indicated.<br /><br />Correspondingly, the LNG re-gasification capacity in the country will reach a level of 20 million tonnes per annum by the year 2011-12 from current 13.5 million tonnes.<br />Referring to efforts to augment supply of gas through pipelines for domestic purposes to urban areas, Deora said currently about 40 cities and towns were covered by CNG.<br /><br />"We intend to provide Piped Natural Gas (PNG) service to 200 more cities. Extension of PNG to large number of big cities and metros would help us to divert LPG supplies to our rural areas," he said.<br /></p>
