Guwahati: Domestic Piped Natural Gas (DPNG) is likely to be available for Guwahati households and its adjoining areas by June 2023.

Speaking to BNE the Chief Executive Officer of Purba Bharati Gas Private Limited (PBGPL) Abhijit Baruah, said that DPNG project is on execution stage and connections will be given as soon as the Barauni Guwahati pipeline is constructed. It is expected to start by June, 2023.

PBGPL has planned an investment of Rs 2,600 crore for the entire City Gas Distribution Network project which will cover geographical areas of Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj, Kamrup, and Kamrup Metro.

Out of total expenditure planned, 65 percent of this amount is fulfilled by loan. 35 percent of this amount is to be paid by promoter companies on an equity basis by Assam Gas Company, Oil India Limited and GAIL Gas Limited.

The City Gas Distribution (CGD) networks are an interconnected system of underground Natural Gas pipelines for supplying Domestic Piped Natural Gas (DPNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to domestic-commercial-industrial customers and automobile sectors.

The PBGPL took the initiative to create infrastructure for domestic gas pipeline supply service for gas distribution in Mirza and the Narengi Campus of Oil India Limited.

According to Baruah, PBGPL will set up booths to help people for registration for the connection.
There will be various schemes under it.

In some scheme, the material cost (last mile connectivity) can be paid up front by the customer.

In another scheme, the material cost can be paid as rent with Rs. 2 per day. For instance, In 60 days, the total cost will be Rs.120, along with the gas bill.

According to Baruah, gas consumption cost will be there in addition to rental cost.

The registration fees will be Rs. 6, 500 for a home for the last mile connectivity.

The LPG stove is sufficient to use the pipeline gas. A small modification will be done in the nozzle of the stove. There will be no loss for the customer.

As per the safety is concerned, it is safer than LPG gas. It is lighter than air. In exceptional case, if some leak occurs than the air will pass away through the ventilator. Piped gas connection is a safe practice, said Baruah.

A technical survey will be done before fitting pipes in homes for gas supply. Monthly payment etc. can be done by the customers from home through online.

Baruah informed that in City Gas Distribution (CGD) Projects three types of pipes will be used. The pipeline coming from the source is high pressure pipeline made of steel. From steel pipeline gas goes to District Regulatory Station (DRS) which reduces the high pressure gas. After that it goes through Mild Density Poly Ethylene (MDPE) pipes. Through this gas will pass through the streets. Than through a Heavy Duty Galvanised Iron (G.I.) pipeline and pressure regulator it reaches peoples’ kitchen. All these efforts will reduce chances of accident.

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