Guwahati: Piped natural gas (PNG) will be delivered to Guwahati residents by the end of March 2024 by Purba Bharati Gas Pvt. Ltd. (PBGPL), a joint venture company of Assam Gas Company Ltd. (AGCL), Oil India Ltd. (OIL) and GAIL Gas Ltd. (GAIL Gas), Business North East has learned.

"We have set up a registration centre where people can register for free PNG connections. People can visit our website and register for free gas connections till 31st March 2024", PBGPL CEO Manuj Kumar Baruah informed this media outlet. Baruah stated that the PBGPL is also championing PNG connections as an environment-friendly alternative as part of the 'green Guwahati' initiatives. On Sunday, the PBGPL organized a green marathon run with more than a hundred participants to raise more awareness.

PBGPL organized a green marathon run with more than a hundred participants
to raise more awareness

"By the end of March 2024, gas connections will be rolled out in Guwahati", the official revealed. Currently, gas connections are being delivered to residents of Silchar, the state's second-most populous city.

According to Abhijit Baruah, the former Chief Executive Officer of PBGPL, the company will invest around Rs 2,600 crore for the 'City Gas Distribution Network' project covering Cachar, Hailakandi, Karimganj, Kamrup, and Kamrup Metro districts. The PBGPL earlier signed agreements with seven commercial and industrial consumers of the city, including Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA), DS Pal, Greenhood Hotel, Hotel Lily, Radisson Blu Hotel, Vivanta, and Purabi Dairy, for the supply of PNG under the first phase. 

 
"The piped gas connection has a regular scheme for which one can opt for three different types of payment. The first option is a one-time upfront payment of Rs 7000 at the time of connection. This amount is refundable with an interest-free security deposit of Rs 6,000 and refundable interest-free consumption security of Rs 1000", stated the official, adding that the second scheme is an installment payment of Rs 1,275 at the time of connection. "In this scheme, there is a refundable interest-free consumption security of Rs 1,000 at the time of connection. A processing charge of Rs 275 as a non-refundable amount will be collected."

The third scheme requires applicants to pay Rs 2 each day. Here, the refundable interest-free consumption security is Rs 1,000 and will be collected at the time of connection. There is a non-refundable Rs 2 per day charge plus applicable taxes.

Last year, it was announced that 65,000 residents of Guwahati city would get piped cooking gas at their doorstep at a more reasonable price from mid-February 2024, However, the rollout got delayed. PBGPL will commission the first phase of the Piped Natural Gas (PNG) project from Geeta Nagar to Six Mile to supply piped gas to domestic, commercial, and industrial sectors in the city. The company is targeting to supply PNG to 3.21 lakh consumers in Guwahati in the next eight years. Under phase I, Geeta Nagar, Narengi, Six Mile, Borbari, Panjabari, Satgaon, Hatigaon, Beltola, Jayanagar, Khanapara, Bonda and Hengerabari areas will be covered. Under the second phase, Ganeshguri, Kahilipara, Christianbasti, Ulubari, Bhangagarh, Bamunimaidam, Noonmati, and Uzan Bazaar will be covered. Under the third and final phase, Boko, Mirza, Azara, Ranagia, Sonapur, Rampur and Chhaygaon will be covered.

Guwahati will be linked with the national Gas Grid after the completion of Barauni-Guwahati pipeline in February 2024, officials have said. The commission of the first phase of the project will begin after the completion of the pipeline.

Meanwhile, Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL) is laying a 1,656 km long natural gas pipeline connecting northeastern states, with a projected cost of Rs. 9,265 crore. It aims to establish a gas-based economy in the region under the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga Gas Pipeline Project. Also, ADANI Gas and GAIL Gas Limited are constructing a Central Gas Supply System (CGS) in southern Assam to connect households with PNG, benefiting five hundred households initially.

PBGPL is a consortium of AGCL, OIL, and GAIL Gas with AGCL as a leading partner was authorized to implement the City Gas Distribution (CGD) project in Cachar, Hailakandi, and Karimganj Districts and Kamrup and Kamrup Metropolitan Districts.

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