Shortage of CNG in Aurangabad to get over soon

Aurangabad: The dearth of compressed natural gas (CNG) as fuel for vehicles being felt in

Aurangabad

is soon to become a thing of past with the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) announcing 100 CNG outlets in Aurangabad and

Ahmednagar

districts.

Sukhmal Jain

, BPCL executive director (gas), said the work was in progress for setting up 40 of the 100 CNG stations in both districts.“The company has already developed 21 CNG stations — 15 in Ahmednagar and six in Aurangabad — with the total number of such stations expected to go up to 100 in near future. Once the work of laying down main gas pipeline gets over in Aurangabad, maximum fuel outlets will offer CNG for vehicles,” he said. Jain said the gas connectivity in industrial areas of Waluj and Shendra from Aurangabad and

Supa

from Ahmednagar was expected to be completed by September this year.The autorickshaw drivers, who are among the different stakeholders demanding smooth supply of CNG in Aurangabad, have welcomed the move.

Nisar Ahmed Khan

, leader of a local autorickshaw drivers’ union, said authorities should expedite the work of laying down gas pipeline. “The CNG is an efficient alternative fuel considering the rise in fuel prices. While Aurangabad was selected during the bidding process way back in 2018, there has been no satisfactory progress on the pipeline work in past four years,” he said. Khan added that many people would prefer converting their vehicles to CNG once the supply becomes smooth.