Govt takes first step to supply natural gas through pipelines

Kolkata: With the Centre's indifferent attitude in controlling the price of cooking gas cylinders, the Mamata Banerjee government has taken initiative to introduce supply of natural gas through pipelines.

The Cabinet on Wednesday gave nod for the joint venture project of Greater Calcutta Gas Supply Corporation and Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL).

Firhad Hakim, the state Urban Development and Municipal Affairs minister, said: "The cost of cooking gas has gone up and it is causing inconvenience to the common people. In such a situation, the state government has decided to introduce the supply of natural gas through pipeline."

Hakim said that the move will ensure easy supply of gas and that too at the right price.

The Greater Calcutta Gas Supply Corporation Limited (GCGSC), which is a state government owned company, will be going for a joint venture with GAIL at a ratio of 74 and 26 respectively.

It will ensure supply of natural gas through pipelines in households, hospitals and small industries, in the area under Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA).

In many places, it will become available in the next two years, while it will take around 5 years to supply the same in the entire KMDA area.

The total investment for the project is Rs 6,000 crore. There will be an initial investment of Rs 144 crore for the same. It may be mentioned that with its introduction, there will be "user-friendly, safe and environment-friendly" supply of fuel.

It will help in reducing pollution, as small industries where coal is still used as fuel, will be using natural gas.