8 new CNG stations this fiscal: MNGL

In a move to plug the growing gap between demand of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and its supply in the city, the Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited (MNGL) will start eight new outlets this fiscal as part of its plan to set up up 40 filling stations by the end of 2013-2014.

The plan had been in the pipeline and had been stuck owing to lack of enough government land. Now, with private lands opening up, MNGL officials are working towards getting building and other permissions for the eight new pumps that will take CNG stations in the city from 17 to 25.

"Documentations, permissions and NOCs are taking time. We have set a target of eight CNG stations this fiscal,'' said an MNGL official.

The MNGL had earlier advertised for private lands for CNG stations. Of the eight planned this fiscal, several will be on private land. These are mainly in Kothrud, Hadapsar, Bavdhan, Nagar road and Hinjewadi areas.

The MNGL also plans to convert all existing CNG stations to online stations, in which the gas is supplied through a pipeline. The CNG stations are at present supplied by mobile cascades (cylinders filled and transported from the mother station). Work is on for the pipeline and the stations will all be converted to online soon, MNGL officials said.

In meetings convened by the district collector earlier, the need for 24-hour functioning of CNG stations was stressed, and MNGL officials maintain that all the pumps now operate day and night.

They added that of the eight new stations, two will serve the bus depots at Kothrud and Hadapsar.

Meanwhile, there has been an increase in price of CNG in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad this month as in other places. "It is presently Rs 42 for PMC and Rs 41.50 for PCMC areas,'' said the officials who said they had increased prices for the first time after February.

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