Even though compressed natural gas outlets are climbing in bunks of gasoline, the other avatar of natural gas, piped natural gas (PNG), destined for supply to households, is moving slowly.
Torrent Gas, the company that has won the tender to supply PNG, has already started laying underground pipes that will extend for a distance of 660 km.
โOur goal is to provide PNG connections to 33 lakh households over a period of eight years. We have already started discussions with residential apartment complex associations. We hope to provide connections in Chennai and Tiruvallur soon, โsaid R. Sitharthan, vice president (operations) of Torrent Gas.
For the entire state, over the next eight years, nine contracted companies will provide a total of 67 lakh of PNG connections.
PNG is considered a cleaner and better cooking fuel compared to LPG and has a different pressure than CNG.
The advantage is that PNG eliminates the cylinders, saves space, and will be offered with pay-after-use measurement.
However, despite the advantages, sources in the oil industry said obtaining permits from various civic bodies and government agencies would not be an easy task as roads must be closed.
During the laying of pipes, traffic, water and power supply could be interrupted. In cities, it would be a challenge to install pipes in congested towns, an industry source explained.
โCNG is not a new fuel for the country. It is at least 20 years old and Delhi has had buses since 2002. However, even states like Gujarat that are leading the CNG revolution have yet to achieve complete change. All energy sources are expected to go hand in hand. As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, even if businesses can cover 20% of the set target of households, it would be a success, โhe said.
