TN’s first CNG cylinder testing unit opens in dist

Coimbatore: The state’s first compressed natural gas (CNG) cylinder testing unit was inaugurated at Serayampalayam near Vellanaipatti here on Friday.
Unveiling the facility by AIRVIO Technologies, D S Nanaware, director (pipelines), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), said the Union government’s target was to provide CNG and piped natural gas (PNG) connections to almost 90% of the population. “We are working on the infrastructure for gas transmission and distribution. The Centre is planning to increase the share of CNG to 15% from the current 6.5% by 2030. In Tamil Nadu, we are implementing the city gas distribution in 11 districts.”
In Coimbatore, he said, IOCL had started dispensing CNG as well as PNG to the households. Around 300 CNG stations would be installed in the district in the coming years, Nanaware said.
He said CNG was almost 30% cheaper than alternate fuels. “It is safe and does not have any problems when compared to LPG. It is lighter than air, and if there is a leakage, it will neither cause any damages nor harm anyone. Since CNG is cheaper than petrol and diesel, people are eager to use this to save money, especially on transportation.”
When asked about the availability of natural gas, Nanaware said India had enough of it to meet the domestic requirements. “Unlike LPG, we do not have to import CNG. It can be distributed to the entire country through our network. Our target is 1.5 crore connections across the country, including nine lakh in Coimbatore. It may go up or come down depending on the demand.”
He said the rise in crude oil price would boost the share of CNG by the end of this decade. “The use of crude oil will gradually reduce from 2040. And by 2070, its market share will be just 10%.”
When asked about farmers’ opposition to laying gas pipelines through their farmlands, Nanawere said they were going ahead with the work only with the farmers’ consent. “Our discussion with the farmers and other stakeholders will continue. As of now, we have laid the pipeline for around 3,000km. We are laying the pipeline along the National Highways and State Highways wherever feasible to avoid cross-country pipelines.”
AIRVIO Technologies, meanwhile, said the use of CNG in cars, trucks and buses was on the rise in Tamil Nadu.