Govt launches 12th CGD bidding round offering areas in North-East, Union Territories

The government has offered seven geographical areas (GAs) spread over five states and two union territories, covering 92 districts.

The Union government launched the 12th city gas distribution (CGD) bidding round on October 12, offering areas in the union territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, and the north-east region.

In the 12th CGD bidding round, the government has offered seven geographical areas (GAs) spread over five states and two union territories, covering 92 districts. The five states include Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland and Sikkim.

Speaking at the launch of the bidding round, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said the next step of the government would be take CGD bidding rounds to islands.

“We will now take this to the island areas, covering 100 percent of the geographical areas (in India). And, I am sure a scheme will be soon devised for that,” said Puri.

After the launch of the latest round, Mizoram, Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep are the only regions which would not have access to CGD networks, said the government.

The area offered in the latest bidding round covers 12 percent of India’s area and approximately 2 percent of the country’s population. Until now, i.e. post 11th CGD bidding round, 88 percent of India’s area and 98 percent of its population spread over more than 640 districts have been authorised under CGD network.

The launch of CGD bidding round in remote areas including North-East and Jammu & Kashmir comes as the Indian government aims to increase the share of natural gas in the country’s energy mix to 15 percent from the current 6 percent by 2030.

“Government of India has focused to promote the usage of Natural Gas as a fuel/feedstock across the country to increase the share of natural gas in primary energy mix from current level to 15% in coming years. An approx. investment of $67 billion is expected in natural gas infrastructure by next 5-6 years,” said Puri.