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Time of India
16-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Piped natural gas supply inaugurated in 111 Delhi villages
New Delhi: Lieutenant governor V K Saxena and chief minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday inaugurated piped natural gas (PNG) supply by Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) to 111 villages. With this, the number of villages connected by PNG has gone up to 241. Saxena said the initiative was not merely a technical project, but a solid foundation for a cleaner future. "It not only connects rural areas with clean, safe and affordable energy, but also marks a significant step towards making Delhi an environmentally-friendly and sustainable capital. It resonates with the spirit of Delhi Gramoday Abhiyan, which aims to equip villages with urban-level infrastructure and ensure holistic and balanced development," he said. Calling it "A Flame of Trust", Gupta described the launch as a beacon of clean energy reaching the heart of rural Delhi. "It is the ignition of a new era — one that brings security, dignity and sustainable growth into every household," she said. With 130 villages already covered in Phase I and 111 more joining Thursday, CM pledged to connect the remaining 116 villages by the yearend. "Nobody thought there would be a 24-hour supply of piped gas. Urban areas had started getting access to piped gas supply, but it was not available in rural areas. It was on PM Narendra Modi's call that this was made possible. There are 116 villages still left, where piped natural gas will be made accessible by Dec-end," Gupta said. LG and CM also interacted virtually with PNG users across four villages of Delhi, apart from handing over PNG connections to 10 users physically on the occasion. Gupta later chaired a high-level review meeting with officials of the industries department. She said the discussion focused on the needs of traders and industrialists, the future prospects of industrial growth, and govt initiatives to elevate Delhi's status in the fields of trade and industry. Cabinet minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa was also present at the meeting. Following the meeting, CM announced the formation of a Trader Welfare Board to safeguard the interests of traders. The board will ensure swift redressal of issues faced by the business community, implement welfare schemes, and push for policy reforms that ease the process of doing business. The initiative will establish a robust support system for Delhi's traders and act as a bridge between govt and the trading community by conveying their suggestions and concerns directly to policymakers.


Time of India
15-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
IGL expands PNG supply to 111 more Delhi villages; total coverage reaches 241
New Delhi: Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) on Thursday extended piped natural gas (PNG) supply to 111 additional villages in Delhi, taking the total number of villages covered under its network to 241. With over 13,000 km of gas pipeline infrastructure in place, the expansion brings PNG access to over 72,000 families across the capital. The initiative was formally launched by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena , in the presence of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and senior officials from the Delhi government and IGL. The expansion is part of Phase II of IGL's mission to connect all 357 villages of Delhi with PNG by the end of 2025. 'Today's launch of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) supply to 111 villages of Delhi by IGL is not merely a technical project, but a solid foundation for a cleaner and brighter future,' Saxena said at the event. 'This initiative not only connects rural areas with clean, safe, and affordable energy, but also marks a significant step towards making Delhi an environmentally friendly and sustainable capital.' Saxena said the work aligns with the objectives of the Delhi Gramoday Abhiyan and reiterated government support for such infrastructure initiatives. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said, 'This is not merely the inauguration of a facility, but the ignition of a new era — one that brings security, dignity, and sustainable growth into every household.' Gupta added that the government would ensure the remaining 116 villages are connected by the end of the year. She said, 'Our approach isn't piecemeal. It's holistic, strategic, and focused on tomorrow.' She also announced the modernization of the Mahipalpur CNG station to improve operational efficiency. Kamal Kishore Chatiwal, Managing Director, IGL, said, 'While the global spotlight rightly shines on electric vehicles (EVs), it's imperative we acknowledge the pragmatic and complementary role of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) .' 'CNG remains one of the cleanest, most cost-effective, and immediately deployable alternatives to conventional fuels,' Chatiwal added. He highlighted its relevance for public transport , intra-city logistics, and long-distance mobility. 'EVs symbolize the future, but CNG is the bridge that will carry us there — especially in a country as diverse and dynamic as India,' he said. Director (Commercial) Mohit Bhatia said, 'This is more than just an inauguration; it's a celebration of commitment, collaboration, and clean energy for all. We stand here today, humbled and honoured, as over 72,000 families begin to experience the safety, reliability, and eco-benefits of PNG.' Bhatia said IGL remains committed to contributing towards the national goal of achieving a 15 per cent share of natural gas in India's energy mix by 2030.