Industries Minister Bikram Singh participated in the ‘National Conclave on Emerging Opportunities in Natural Gas Sector’ organised by Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas at New Delhi today. Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel Dharmendra Pradhan presided over the conclave.
While addressing the Conclave, Industries Minister urged to cover Kangra district under City Gas Distribution (CGD) Project under which six districts of state are being covered whereas six districts are yet to be covered. He said that Damtal in district Kangra is a fast developing industrial area and should be covered under CGD. He also requested CGD for industrial areas like Baddi, Nalagarh and Kala Amb on priority.
He said that Gas can be utilised for waste disposal in industrial areas and stressed upon a special policy for three popular tourist destinations of state viz. Dharamshala, Manali and Shimla where gas can be produced through waste material. He suggested that CNG can be used for buses in plain areas of state like Una, Kangra, Mandi and Paonta Sahib and added that state government is keen to draft a proposal for the same. He said that only 20 CNG stations have been set up in the state so far and requested the Centre for special scheme and assistance for promoting CNG in the state which is environment-friendly. He said that electric buses are being plied in the state and state government is committed to protecting the environment and added that state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur is also looking forward to promote bio-gas.