200 cities in 15 states to have CNG

Hyderabad, Apr 5 (UNI) Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Murali Deora today said 200 cities in 15 states were likely to be on city gas distribution map in India in the next three years.

Speaking after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy launched five per cent ethanol blended petrol and laid the foundation for a mega gas station, the minister said two crore households were likely to be supplied CNG through pipe lines. A large number of vehicles, including public transport would run on CNG.

Earlier, ONGC Chairman and Managing Director R S Sharma said the cylinders after domestic households turn to CNG spare through pipeline would be diverted to the rural areas where laying of pipelines would be difficult.

The minister said at the direction of UPA Chairperson and AICC President Ms Sonia Gandhi the UPA government was committed to provide kerosene and LPG at affordable prices to protect the interests of the weaker sections of the society.

The Union Government and oil companies were providing a subsidy of Rs 17 per litre on kerosene and Rs 177 per cylinder on domestic LPG, Mr Deora said and added even the retail prices of diesel and petrol were lowered when the international prices eased.

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