The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), which has put these 86 geographical areas (GAs) on offer under the ninth bid round, expects to attract investment of around Rs70,000 crore. The contracts entail supplying piped cooking gas and compressed natural gas (CNG) to 174 districts across 22 states and Union territories. The bid round comes in the backdrop of the National Democratic Alliance government pushing for a gas-based economy. India plans to connect 10 million households to piped natural gas by 2020. India’s gas demand is expected to be driven by the fertilizer, power, city gas distribution and steel sectors.

Source: Mint May 08, 2018 18:11 UTC