Tripura goes green with use of compressed natural gas

Agartala, Sep 14(ANI): Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is being used as a source of energy and fuel in industry, transportation and domestic sectors in Tripura with the objective of maintaining a pollution free and clean environment.

It is the only state in the entire northeast region, using CNG as an alternative to fossil oil.

Keeping this in mind, a CNG filling centre was recently inaugurated in Agartala. Set up by the Tripura Natural Gas Company Ltd (TNGCL), a division of the Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL), the centre caters to around eight major consumers through pipelines.

"The gas which we are having in Tripura is the gas which is produced by Tripura. The utilization of natural resources in this state, by the gas available within the state is of optimum use. Creating a very good environmental friendly, pollution free atmosphere and a cheap alternative fuel to the existing gasoline fuel," said S C Hatwal, Managing Director of TNGCL.

Many industrial units are also using CNG for their furnaces, and due to this their business is prospering and they are making higher profits since there are no power supply interruptions and CNG is comparatively cheaper.

"Now, we have started using pipeline gas supply which is not only continuous and eco-friendly but also economic. With coal the factory use to get dirty but now every thing is clean," said Sajal Debnath, an aluminum factory manager.

Many laboratories of educational institutions, which need gas for conducting experiments, have also availed the facility of gas supply and have benefited from it, as it is an eco friendly fuel.

"Its an eco friendly fuel, it produces less amount of carbon dioxide which is mainly responsible for our Green house effect which is now a burning issue in the whole world. This will be useful to us. We are proud as the TNGCL has first provided us this gas and our lab is well equipped now. Now we can carry out 42 students simultaneously in the lab. So its very helpful for us," said Mohor Lar Paul, a college teacher.

Currently, the supply of natural gas through pipeline has in its first phase covered around 6598 domestic consumers in and around Agartala, besides more than 100 commercial establishments and industrial units.

The initiative is an approach to make Tripura an industrial hub with minimal damage to the environment. By Pinaki Das (ANI)