Gujarat firm to provide piped gas in Fatehgarh Sahib district

Vijay C Roy

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 2

The Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has entrusted the Gujarat-based IRM Energy Pvt. Ltd with the task of setting up city gas distribution (CGD) system in Fatehgarh Sahib district. The network will cover an area of 1,146 sq km, including Amloh, Bassi Pathana, Khamano, Sirhind-Fatehgarh Sahib, Mandi Gobindgarh etc. The project includes supply of piped natural gas in the city and nearby areas and laying, building, operating and expanding the city gas distribution for the purpose in the district.

The city gas project in the area will bring in revolutionary changes in the gas distribution network. The work on the project is likely to start before January 2017. The company has also been asked by the board to submit the financial closure within six months so as to ensure timely commencement and completion of the project.

According to the authorisation letter issued by the PNGRB, the operator would maintain an uninterrupted supply of natural gas to all categories of customers in the CGD network. In the event of any disruption in the supply of natural gas, first priority shall be accorded to the restoration of supply to domestic PNG customers. In case of disruption of supply to domestic PNG customers for more than 12 hours, the entity would be liable to compensate the customers.

The letter further states that the operator will lay at least 650-km pipeline during the first five years of operations.

Once operational, it would prove not only be a boon for the residents of the area but also for the steel cluster of Mandi Gobindgarh, as they can switch over to cleaner fuels. Mandi Gobindgarh and adjoining Khanna have over 400 industrial units.

Earlier, the PNGRB had put 34 areas for bidding to set up city gas distribution (CGD) networks under the six rounds of auction.

To facilitate expansion of the cleaner fuel, the government has allocated 100% domestic gas supply for city gas usage.