Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, inaugurated the first CNG station of Allahabad at Meera fuel station, on December 27 and also released the first PNG connection of the city at Trivenipuram in the presence of a distinguished gathering.
At the function, LPG connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) were also released to women from below poverty line families. The scheme envisages release of free LPG connections to 5 crore below poverty line (BPL) homes across the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Pradhan said the PMUY scheme was launched on May 1, and 42 lakh connections have already been released in Uttar Pradesh under the scheme. On an all-India basis, the figure has crossed 1.2 crores. In addition to social inclusion, the PMUY scheme is also preventing many smoke-related diseases among poor women and their families.
Referring to the City Gas Distribution (CGD) project in Allahabad, he said that it would help in attracting industries and enhancing job opportunities. The CGD project of Allahabad is being implemented by IndianOil-Adani Gas Pvt. Ltd. (IOAGPL), a 50:50 joint venture of Indian Oil Corporation and Adani Gas Ltd. With the commissioning of natural gas projects in Allahabad and nearby areas, customers in transport, industrial and household segments will benefit from availability of the eco-friendly fuel. Once the project is completed, it will provide CNG to thousands of vehicles from 10 CNG stations every day and piped natural gas (PNG) to lakhs of households in Allahabad and its adjoining areas.
The Rs. 250-crore project will entail laying of a 1,000-km pipeline network of steel and medium-density polyethylene (MDPE) and would reach eco-friendly fuel directly to the kitchens of consumers. The project is being completed in phases. Already 60 km of steel pipeline and 30 km of MDPE pipeline have been installed.
Three CNG stations have also been set-up. Registration of PNG customers is in progress and the initiative has elicited very encouraging response from citizens.CGD projects play a significant role in bringing down air pollution, thereby keeping the city clean and green.