IOC to Set Up 150 Stations for CNG Supply in Bihar

The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) will soon set up at least 150 stations for supply of compressed natural gas (CNG) across the state. The decision was made after the IOC was chosen for distribution of CNG at the 10th City Gas Distribution (CGD) Bidding Round conducted by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB). The PNGRB is the nodal body which authorizes the development and maintenance of CGD networks in different geographical areas.

IOC (Bihar-Jharkhand) executive director Vibhash Kumar told this newspaper that the corporation had been trying its best to switch to natural gases for several years to control greenhouse gas emissions in the environment. “Since more and more people are switching to natural gases, we will set up CNG stations in 21 districts, including Araria, Begusarai, Aurangabad and Rohtas, during the first phase,” Kumar said.

The project of supplying CNG and PNG in the state is part of the Jagdishpur-Haldia-Bokaro-Dhamra pipeline project under the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga Yojana which will connect the eastern and north-eastern states with the national gas grid. According to IOC sources, apart from supplying CNG to vehicles and piped natural gas to more than 0.1 million households for domestic purposes across the state, the corporation will also supply these gases to industries and factories. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated three CNG stations at Naubatpur, Rukanpura and Bypass Road from Barauni on February 17.