Assam CM pitches PNG expansion to cut LPG imports, boost energy security
Guwahati, June 16
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said wider adoption of Piped Natural Gas across the State would help reduce India's dependence on imported LPG, strengthen energy security and ensure better utilisation of Assam's abundant natural gas resources.
Speaking after virtually inaugurating a series of gas infrastructure projects from Lok Sewa Bhawan in Dispur, Sarma said the expansion of PNG connectivity was in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of increasing domestic energy production and reducing import dependence.
The Chief Minister inaugurated domestic PNG supply in Mangaldai, a CNG Mother Station at Uhani Pathar, a CNG Daughter Booster Station at Goraimari and industrial PNG supply in Tezpur.
Referring to global energy uncertainties arising from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Sarma said India had traditionally relied on imports for a significant portion of its LPG requirements. However, following sustained efforts by the Centre, domestic refineries are now meeting nearly 60-65 per cent of the country's LPG demand. He said increasing PNG penetration in households and industries would further reduce LPG consumption and save valuable foreign exchange.
Citing Tezpur's industrial unit, the Chief Minister said the facility has substantially reduced its LPG use after switching to industrial PNG. The unit is currently consuming around 5,000 Standard Cubic Metres (SCM) of natural gas per day, with demand expected to rise to 6,000 SCM daily.
Sarma also noted that Assam possesses substantial natural gas reserves, but inadequate pipeline infrastructure has limited their utilisation. Expansion of PNG networks, he said, would enable the State to harness its own resources more effectively while increasing royalty revenues for the government.
Highlighting the progress of city gas distribution projects, he said more than 100 household PNG connections have already been provided in Mangaldai, with around 30 families receiving regular supply. In Tezpur, where the network became operational in March, over 1,400 households have been brought under PNG coverage.
The Chief Minister urged gas distribution companies operating in Assam to accelerate expansion of connectivity and appealed to citizens to adopt PNG and CNG as cleaner, more economical fuel alternatives.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally some good news for energy security! I've been using PNG in my Guwahati flat for a year now - it's cheaper than LPG and no more waiting for cylinder delivery. But the initial connection cost is high for many middle-class families. Government should provide subsidies to make it accessible for all. Good initiative overall!
Impressive to see this level of infrastructure development in Assam. The Middle East conflicts make us realize how vulnerable we are to import dependence. PNG is the way forward, both for households and industries. The 60-65% domestic LPG production is good progress, but we need to push harder for 100% self-reliance.
Good idea but implementation matters. My parents in Tezpur got PNG connection in March, but there were communication gaps - they didn't know how to use it properly. Also, many elderly people are scared of gas leaks. The government should do awareness campaigns and provide helpline numbers. Also, what about the CNG stations? We need more of those for autorickshaws and taxis.
As someone who works in the oil and gas sector, I appreciate this push. Assam's natural gas reserves are huge, but we've been exporting or flaring them due to lack of infrastructure. This PNG expansion will also reduce methane emissions from flaring. However, the state must ensure transparent pricing - PNG should be cheaper than LPG consistently, not just initially like some schemes where prices go up later.
Great to see Assam taking the lead on this. I wish other states would follow. The environmental benefits are huge
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.