Guwahati: The first Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Station of Guwahati and Assam's second constructed by Purba Bharti Gas Private Limited was reviewed by Minister of Industries, Commerce, Public Enterprises, and Cultural Affairs Bimal Bora at the Swagat Retail Outlet of Indian Oil Corporation Limited depot in Guwahati on December 19.

Purba Bharti Gas Private Limited officials demonstrated to the minister how to fill a gas tank on an ASTC bus using a cascade, dispenser, and other devices.

Speaking to the media, Borah stated that a joint venture made up of the Assam Gas Company Limited (AGCL), Adani Group, and Oil India Limited, which is now Purba Bharati Gas Pvt. Ltd. (PBGPL), was awarded the contract to deliver commercial and household gas across Assam.

According to Borah, Purba Bharti Gas Private Limited is in charge of working in Kamrup, Kamrup Metropolitan, Silchar, Karimganj, and Hailakandi. Under it, the business started the first CNG station in Guwahati and the second in Assam, both close to ISBT.

The Assam State Transport Corporation will initially equip 100 buses that it has purchased for use in and around Guwahati with CNG gas. Given the increase in pollution and global warming, he further emphasised the push to use CNG as an efficient fuel, adding to the goal of achieving a zero-emission environment.

Borah continued, "I think that this CNG station would give the people of Guwahati a pollution-free and emission-free atmosphere.

This is the first step, he said. Several additional CNG stations are currently being built. And over time, it will replace all petrol and diesel-powered vehicles.

According to Borah, the initiative will undoubtedly help the people. He affirmed that efforts will be made to reduce pollution in addition to giving consumers more mileage. He stated that the buses as of now will be operating across Guwahati. However, there will be an attempt to build more CNG stations throughout the state.

Given the degree of pollution in Guwahati, 100 buses will operate as part of the Smart City Project. "We must provide the people with assistance from the government", adds Borah. He said that they will soon get to the operating stage.

When speaking to Business Northeast, Borah focused on the CNG gas station's details. The gas generated in upper Assam cannot reach Guwahati in the absence of a pipeline. GAIL is currently building a pipeline to meet this requirement. At Baihata Chariali, a gas station will be set up for the time being. It will take time to build pipelines.

He said, "under the Department of Industry, they have devised and proposed a policy called City Gas Distribution to give the people an efficient cooking gas facility, both for commercial and household usage. He continued, saying that Assam's economy will expand in the long run as a result of the adoption of gas services and pipelines.

He also highlights the Indradhanush Gas Grid, which is building a gas pipeline at Barauni and would supply gas through pipes to the Northeastern states, contributing to the growth of the area.

Abhijit Baruah, CEO of Purba Bharati Gas Private Limited, said in a statement to Business Northeast that the minister has inspected the work and is pleased with its advancement. "We are attempting to expedite the procedure."

Following an auction, PBGBL, a joint venture between AGCL, Adani Gas, and OIL, bought five districts: Kamrup, Kamrup Metropolitan, Cachar, Hailakandi, and Karimganj.

They have so far provided gas to Silchar residents who are domestic customers. Four areas have been chosen to help them achieve their objectives: industrial clients, commercial customers, household consumers, and CNG buses and vehicles to deliver gas. The second CNG gas station has already been examined. He mentioned that AGCL has opened the first CNG gas station in Dibrugarh. This is PBGBL's first CNG gas station.

At the scheduled hour, the Assam CM will formally inaugurate the CNG buses.
For the next CNG station, they will currently transport gas through the Dibrugarh cascade due to the high cost. Furthermore, the Indradhanush Pipeline and the Barauni-Guwahati pipeline, which connect upper Assam to Guwahati, will be built, making CNG more economical than petrol and diesel.

PBGPL CEO informed BNE that they had increased their efforts for safety above what is necessary. "We have added more cascades, compressors, and dispensers, as well as features like fire distinguishers. In comparison to diesel/petrol-powered cars, CNG automobiles can go up to 24 kilometers, giving them a 25% advantage over CNG buses, he adds.

Assam State Transport Corporation and Purba Bharati Gas Private Limited representatives were present during the event. The minister was accompanied by Vice Chairman ASTC Pranab Jyoti Lahkar.