Question : NATIONAL GAS GRID NETWORK

(a) the details of the existing network of gas pipeline in the country and its capacity to transport gas across the country;

(b) whether the Government proposes to expand national gas grid network across the country on the lines of the power grid;

(c) if so, the details thereof along with the benefits likely to be accrued by setting up of such grid;

(d) the details of funds made available and utilised for the purpose of laying gas pipelines; and

(e) the status of the project along with the further steps taken to expedite the execution of the project?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.282 ASKED BY SHRI KALIKESH N. SINGH DEO AND SHRI MOHANBHAI KALYANJIBHAI KUNDARIYA, MPs TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 28, 2014

(a): Presently, the country is having 15,340 km of natural gas pipelines having a capacity of 395 Million Standard Cubic Meter per Day (MMSCMD).

(b) & (c): In order to transport gas to different parts of the country, there is need to expand the gas pipeline infrastructure. Government has set up the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) under the PNGRB Act, 2006 as a regulatory body to plan, authorize and monitor the development of pipeline infrastructure in the country. Establishing a National Gas Grid has been identified as a priority area by the Government. This would require commissioning of additional about 15,000 km of pipelines. PNGRB has been requested to prepare a road map for development of the gas grid.

(d) & (e): The details of pipelines already authorized by the Government/PNGRB that would eventually form part of the gas grid is given in Annexure. The requirement of funds and the detailed roll-out plan would be known after receipt of report from PNGRB.