Gas pipeline to reach 40% of Bihar’s population

Stepping up activities for expeditious roll out of city gas distribution projects in the state of Bihar, the first meeting of the Joint Coordination Group of the Government of Bihar and GAIL (India) Limited was held. The meeting of the group was chaired by Shri Naveen Verma, Principal Secretary, Department of Industry, Government of Bihar. Shri Prabhat Singh, Director (Marketing), GAIL was present along with other company officials.

The city gas distribution network would be laid in Patna during the first phase of the Jagdishpur–Phulpur-Haldia project. Priority shall be assigned to cities of Gaya, Mujaffarpur and Bhagalpur. In addition to transport and households sector, the pipeline will supply natural gas to several industries in the region including fertiliser, power, steel and other large, medium and small industries. The CGD work shall be taken up in other cities in a phased manner based on demand assessment and techno-economic feasibility in those cities. The City Gas Distribution network would touch 40% of the State’s population.

The development comes close on the heels of the Energy Highway project for Eastern India, the Jagdishpur–Phulpur–Haldia pipeline, recently announced by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

The joint co-ordination group agreed that demand assessment of natural gas for laying CGD network shall be done in a time bound manner with the support of Department of Industry, Government of Bihar.

It was also agreed that GAIL would organise an industry meet in Patna with participation from industry associations and Government of Bihar for disseminating information about the benefits of usage of natural gas and the likely date by which natural gas would be available for industries in the state.

In addition, Principal Secretary, Industry department suggested hoisting road shows outside the state. GAIL assured its full support and participation in the proposed events. He also assured GAIL of the full support of state government and its agencies in demand assessment as well as in execution of CGD projects.

Shri Prabhat Singh, Director (Marketing) also met the Chief Secretary, Government of Bihar and requested for the support of the State Government for expeditious execution of the project. The Chief Secretary assured Director (Marketing) of the full support of the government. He also assured that adequate and timely deployment of revenue personnel shall be done.

GAIL’s 2050 km Jagdishpur–Phulpur-Haldia natural gas pipeline, to be built at an estimated investment of Rs 10,000 crores, will serve as the ‘Energy Highway’ to carry the efficient and environment-friendly fuel to West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. Approximately 620 km of Jagdishpur–Phulpur-Haldia pipeline passes through the state of Bihar.

Adapted from press release by Hannah Priestley-Eaton

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