Manesar Industries Seek Emergency Diesel Permission Amid Gas Supply Fears
In Gurgaon, industries located in the Manesar manufacturing hub have formally approached the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) with an urgent request. They are seeking temporary authorization to revert to diesel usage for their operations, citing growing uncertainties in gas supplies that have been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The industries have issued a stark warning that prolonged shortages of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) or Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) could force factories into complete shutdowns, with severe economic repercussions.
Mounting Anxiety in a Key Manufacturing Hub
The appeal from the Manesar Industries Welfare Association captures the escalating anxiety across one of Haryana's most significant industrial zones. Hundreds of manufacturing units in this area depend on uninterrupted gas supplies to power essential equipment, including furnaces, heating systems, and production lines. In a detailed letter submitted to the HSPCB, the association emphasized that financial losses are accumulating rapidly by the hour. They expressed deep concern that any further tightening in the availability of imported natural gas could leave factories unable to operate for several days, crippling production schedules.
Critical Sectors at Risk of Disruption
The association highlighted specific sectors that are particularly vulnerable to gas supply disruptions. These include auto components, electronics, consumer goods, die-casting, forging, and food processing industries, where continuous heating cycles are absolutely critical for maintaining production quality and efficiency. According to the association, even brief interruptions in gas supply can derail output schedules, cause significant delays in supply chains, and trigger substantial financial losses. The letter, signed by association president Rajesh Gupta, stated that industries may have no choice but to switch to diesel for heating and power generation if gas scarcity intensifies, insisting this would be a temporary and unavoidable measure.
Immediate Risks and Broader Implications
The communication from the industries flags three primary immediate risks:
- Revenue Loss: Factories face mounting financial losses due to halted or slowed production.
- Supply-Chain Disruption: Delays in manufacturing could affect dispatch schedules for automobile and electronics companies, creating ripple effects through vendors and transporters.
- Employment Pressure: Potential shutdowns could threaten jobs in the region, as many factories operate on tight timelines with little margin for prolonged fuel disruptions.
Manesar is a crucial supplier to several national and global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), meaning any production halt here could have widespread consequences across multiple industries.
Commitment to Environmental Norms Amid Crisis
Rajesh Gupta assured that industries remain committed to environmental norms and would return to PNG/CNG as soon as supply normalizes. While acknowledging that diesel-based operations typically cause higher emissions compared to gas, the association informed the board that units would continue to comply with all pollution regulations during any temporary switch. This move is framed as a necessary compromise to prevent complete operational collapse, with the industries pledging to resume cleaner fuel usage at the earliest opportunity once stability in gas supplies is restored.
