Srinagar- Over two years after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the first gas pipeline project for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the central government has offered a bidding round for retailing compressed natural gas (CNG) and piping the fuel to household kitchens and industries in the UT.
According to reports, the government has offered bidding rounds in eight geographical areas (GAs) under the 12th city gas distribution (CGD). These areas include Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Sikkim, the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
The electronic bids would be invited from October 13 and the last date for submission of bids is January 11, 2024.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) will award the distribution of CNG to the companies by 2024.
Notably, Sitharaman in her budget speech in February 2021 has announced the maiden gas pipeline project for J&K.
A government official from the divisional commissioner administration told Kashmir Observer that the 725 km-long, upcoming Bhatinda–Jammu–Srinagar project will be operated by GSPL India Gasnet with a maximum diameter of 24 inches, and will start in Punjab and to the valley.
Earlier, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has said since the ground situation in Jammu and Kashmir has changed after the abrogation of Article 370, the technical survey on the 175-km Gurdaspur-Jammu gas pipeline has been completed.
He said that the pipeline’s establishment will bolster the energy security of the area by streamlining the transfer of natural gas from Gurdaspur, located in Punjab, to Jammu.
“This development presents a dependable and more environmentally friendly energy solution to satisfy the increasing energy needs of these regions,” he said.
The minister conveyed that back in 2014, the gas pipeline stretched approximately 14,000 kilometers in length. “We’ve now set our sights on a 33,500-kilometer target, and we’ve already accomplished 23,000 kilometers of it,” he stated.
The project was earlier initiated by former chief minister Omar Abdullah during the tenure of the National Conference and Congress government in 2011, however it didn’t take off then due to challenges posed by the rugged terrain and escalating costs.
“The entire stretch has been thoroughly seen by the experts and after the green signal, the government has decided to go ahead with the project,” the official said.
The announcement has brought cheer to the local populace who can see some sort of relief since people are dependent on petroleum only.
“The valley remains cut off from the rest of the world due to landslides in winter, resulting in shortage of essentials including petrol and diesel. A permanent gas pipeline will surely give a lot of relief,” said Towfeeq Ahmad, a businessman in Lal Chowk area of Srinagar.
Javid Ahmad Tenga , president, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) also welcomed the move saying that the people would get direct benefit from the project.
“When you have a direct gas connection in your kitchen, you will not have to be worried about shortage of gas cylinders etc. These projects are people friendly and we welcome it,” Tenga told Kashmir Observer.
The proposal has the potential to bring substantial benefits to the residents of the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory.
This project holds the potential to generate job opportunities and fuel economic expansion, which will have a positive impact on both local businesses and individuals.
Moreover, the gas Pipeline Project offers a multitude of benefits to people. The availability of natural gas will encourage the adoption of cleaner energy sources, leading to a decrease in pollution and an overall improvement in environmental well-being.
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