Govt set to supply gas through pipeline to 15 lakh households under KMDA in next 5 years

Kolkata: The state government has set a target of supplying piped gas line to around 15 lakh domestic users in areas under KMDA, within the next five years, said state Finance and Industry minister Amit Mitra.

He was speaking on Wednesday at an interactive session on 'Gas Industry in West Bengal', organised by FICCI in the city.

While delivering his address, he said that natural gas is a focus area of the state government and there is huge business potential for industrial, commercial, transport and domestic sectors. Gas industry can also provide huge employment in the producer sector, consumer sector and infrastructure sector.

"Natural gas is one of the main focus areas in the state, which will bring huge investment and employment in the days to come. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has laid great emphasis on the green energy sector and a great a deal of work has been initiated in this regard. The government will take this initiative forward as it generates huge employment," Mitra said.

Around 44,705 inch km pipeline (all types) will be commissioned within the next five years, with a compression capacity of 14,62,100 kg/day. The project is expected to start from April 1, 2019, with an economic life of 25 years.

The outcome is expected to give a major boost to business and industry. There is only 7% use of natural gas at present and the focus is on taking it to higher levels, Mitra added.

The minister also pointed out that ONGC has discovered natural gas reserves in Ashokenagar in North 24-Parganas. Around one lakh cubic meters per day of gas flowed from one object that was tested.

They are looking at commercial exploitation of the gas reserves. The geographical location of Ashokenagar is near Bangladesh and it would open up new avenues if it can be turned into a commercially exploitable one.

The discovery will now be assessed for its viability, Mitra said.

Vandana Yadav, managing director of WBIDC, said green energy is the future of the state and so it has been given an emphasis. Both the public and private sectors are working together in this regard.