Speed up Piped Natural Gas project, Chandrababu Naidu tells officials

Vijayawada: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday directed officials to work out special strategies to make Andhra Pradesh a gas-based economy and develop natural gas infrastructure intended to benefit general public at large and industrial and commercial establishments as well in the ensuing 3 to 4 years.

Chandrababu Naidu also instructed Andhra Pradesh Gas Distribution Corporation Ltd (APGDC) to focus on the much awaited project of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to ensure supply of gas to the lakhs of homes in the districts under Amaravati-Vijayawada-Rajahmahendravaram Visakhapatnam green corridor by 2020.

In a teleconference with Energy Department officials, the Chief Minister said as the PNG is around 10 per cent cheaper than subsidised LPG, the domestic users would get relief from the burden of LPG cylinders. Similarly, supply of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as fuel for vehicles in place of conventional petrol, diesel would ensure substantial saving on account of fuel and maintenance costs.

Reviewing the status of the project taken up by the APDGC to develop natural gas infrastructure in Godavari districts with an investment of Rs 2,500 crore, the Chief Minister said, “For me, nothing is important than the welfare of women.

I have strong determination to provide the PNG with a direct pipeline connection to homes at cheaper rates. It is definitely more convenient to lakhs of women in the State, helpful in achieving women empowerment and benefit lakhs of poor and middle class families’.

He felt providing natural gas for commercial purpose at 35-40 per cent cheaper rates will spur industrialisation in coastal area resulting in creation of direct and indirect employment to local workforce. 

Principal Secretary for Energy, Infrastructure, Investment and CRDA Ajay Jain informed the Chief Minister that the natural gas infrastructure development project in East and West Godavari districts would be completed over next 3 to 4 years and the Amaravati-Vijayawada-Rajahmahendravaram-Visakhapatnam green corridor project would be a reality with the CNG network under development in Godavari districts.

Ajay Jain also explained that the APGDC is set to develop green corridor in Godavari districts to connect 1.2 lakh homes, 300 commercial establishments and various industries.