Odisha seeks CNG stations to curb pollution by vehicles

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought to set up CNG (compressed natural gas) stations in the state to put a check on rising pollution by vehicles.

“As vehicular emission contributes to air pollution significantly, the Odisha government is keen to set up CNG stations to facilitate motorised vehicles run on CNG fuels thereby reducing pollution caused by such emissions,” Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said in a letter to Modi.

Availability of Natural gas and pipeline infrastructure are pre-requisite for establishment of CNG stations,he said adding that the Petroleum and natural Gas Regulatory Board have authorized M/S Gail India Ltd for laying building, operating and expanding natural gas pipeline along the Surat-Paradip route in 2008.

The state government, he said, is keen to set up CNG stations to facilitate motor vehicles run on CNG fuel to reduce pollution.

H-Energy Pvt Ltd has submitted an expression of interest (EoI) to the Petroleum and Natural Gas ministry for laying, building and operating a Natural Gas Pipeline on the Contai-Paradip-Dattapulia route, Patnaik said in the letter.

Since more than 27,000 auto-rickshaws are plying in the state capital alone apart from other categories of vehicles, vehicular pollution will reduce considerably if these vehicles are retrofitted to run on CNG, he wrote, adding that the same could also be extended to town buses.

Patnaik requested Modi to look into the matter and direct the Petroleum & Natural Gas Ministry to take suitable action to ensure availability of natural gas, pipeline infrastructure and establishment of CNG stations in the state at the earliest.

Patnaik said the Odisha government would facilitate setting up of such CNG stations.