GAIL moots cross-country CNG corridor

NEW DELHI: State-run gas utility GAIL India Ltd on Friday mooted creation of a CNG-corridor across the country to cut carbon emissions and save Rs 60,000 crore in oil bill.

"India has a 8,000-km cross-country pipeline network, and city gas distribution projects supplying CNG to automobiles can be created in cities falling on the pipelines," GAIL chairman and managing director U D Choubey said at the India Energy Summit here.

The city gas networks in Delhi and Mumbai can be replicated in a number of cities to save Rs 60,000 crore in fuel bill, he said. The use of environmental-friendly CNG in automobiles will also cut carbon emissions contributing to Green House gases.

India spent Rs 180,000 crore on oil imports in 2006-07 and 75 per cent of 135 million tons oil consumed is by transport sector.

"There already are 400 CNG dispensing stations in the country and many more can be set up. What is required is an integrated effort by all the stakeholders," he said.

Choubey stressed on the need for a legislation mandating use of CNG in all automobiles as was done in the transport sector in Delhi.