In a significant move to accelerate India's transition to cleaner fuels, the Chairperson of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has officially launched National Drive 2.0, a major nationwide campaign by city gas distribution company Think Gas. This initiative marks a renewed and intensified push to expand the adoption of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) for households and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for vehicles across the country.
Unveiling the Strategic Campaign for Cleaner Energy
The launch event, held recently, saw PNGRB Chairperson Anurag Johri flagging off the campaign. The National Drive 2.0 is a structured, time-bound program designed to aggressively connect more consumers to the clean and efficient natural gas grid. Think Gas, which holds authorization to develop city gas distribution networks in several districts across states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana, is spearheading this ambitious outreach.
The core objective is to simplify and hasten the process for residents and commercial entities to switch to PNG, while also promoting CNG as a viable and eco-friendly fuel for transportation. The drive focuses on streamlining applications, enhancing customer awareness about the benefits of natural gas, and ensuring faster last-mile connectivity to existing pipeline infrastructure.
Building on Past Success and Expanding Reach
This campaign is termed '2.0' as it builds upon the foundation of a previous successful national drive conducted by Think Gas. The new phase is expected to be more comprehensive, leveraging lessons learned and aiming for a wider demographic and geographic impact. The company plans to deploy dedicated teams on the ground to conduct door-to-door awareness programs, facilitate easy registration, and address customer queries in real-time.
The push aligns perfectly with the Indian government's broader vision of increasing the share of natural gas in the country's primary energy mix to 15% by 2030, up from the current level. Natural gas is seen as a crucial bridge fuel in India's energy transition, offering a cleaner-burning alternative to traditional fossil fuels like coal and firewood for cooking, and diesel/petrol for vehicles.
Implications for Consumers and India's Energy Landscape
The successful execution of National Drive 2.0 promises multiple benefits. For households, switching to PNG means a safer, more convenient, and continuous supply of cooking fuel, eliminating the need for cylinder storage and refills. For vehicle owners, CNG offers significant cost savings over petrol and diesel, along with reduced carbon emissions.
From a macroeconomic perspective, widespread adoption of PNG and CNG contributes to:
- Energy Security: Diversifying the energy basket and reducing import dependency.
- Environmental Sustainability: Lowering air pollution levels in urban and rural areas.
- Economic Efficiency: Providing a cost-effective energy solution to industries, commercial establishments, and transport.
The launch by the PNGRB Chairperson underscores the regulatory body's support for such consumer-centric initiatives by authorized entities. It signals a collaborative effort between the regulator and operators to achieve national energy goals. As Think Gas rolls out this campaign across its authorized areas, it is poised to play a pivotal role in making clean energy accessible to a larger segment of the Indian population, driving the nation closer to its sustainable development targets.
