Noida to get 14 CNG stations before Delhi brings back odd-even

Car owners and administration in Noida have already started preparing for the possible return of the Delhi government’s ambitious odd-even scheme in the national Capital. While car owners are opting for installing CNG kit in their vehicles, the administration has initiated the process of granting licences to set up 14 CNG fuel stations in Noida.

“We witnessed long queues at CNG stations during the odd-even scheme in Delhi. The demand for CNG surged many times, so we are preparing to fulfil the demand of car users and promote clean fuel in the city,” said NP Singh, District Magistrate of Gautam Buddha Nagar. 

At present, there are 19 CNG pump stations in Noida, which provide 1.5 lakh kg fuel to 35,000-40,000 customers daily. According to data provided by the district administration, only 40 per cent of the capacity at each station in Noida is used daily. 

“Hence, the plan is to set up CNG stations in areas which do not have  a CNG fuel station,” added Singh. 

Madhav Raman, coordinating officer of the Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL), said: “We will cope with the initial surge in demand, which would be around 25,000 kg fuel per day.”

After running the Odd-Even scheme in the national Capital, the Delhi government has invited feedback from the public on whether the traffic plan should be reintroduced.

The goverment has asked people if the scheme should be implemented for 15 days per month or be made permanent. The scheme is likely to be re-started after school exams are over  in March. If the work goes as per the plan in Noida will get 14 new CNG stations before the odd-even scheme kicks-off in Delhi.

The district administration in Noida has received applications from the IOCL to set up 10 CNG stations, while one each will be set up by the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited. 

“We are likely to issue NOCs for operation by Monday. And, hopefully the stations will start operating by March,” Singh said. 

He added a few units will be set up at petrol pumps, while others will come up at new locations. CNG stations may also come up on the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway and the Yamuna Expressway. 

A study is being conducted to identify spots where CNG stations can come up. Officials said Noida houses hundreds of factories and multinational companies, where a number of  people come to work. The idea is to encourage office-goers and residents to use environment-friendly CNG vehicles.