Number of CNG-powered boats will rise to 2000 from 580 in Varanasi: Oil Minister Hardeep Puri

As many as 580 boats run on compressed natural gas (CNG) in the Ganga river in Varanasi as Gail has laid city gas infrastructure in the city.

The number of CNG-powered boats in Varanasi will rise to 2000, oil minister Hardeep Puri said, without giving a timeline.

Boats driven by CNG will help cut air pollution in the city while also increasing the income of boatmen, he added.


Boatmen in Varanasi are also experimenting with battery-powered boats.

India is working on increasing the consumption of natural gas in transport. It aims to raise the share of gas in the primary energy mix from 6.3% now to 15% by 2030.