PNGRB to play active role in setting up gas grid

Kolkata: The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), the statutory authority set up to regulate distribution, marketing and sale of petroleum products and natural gas, will play an active role for setting up the much talked about national gas grid.

Chairman of PNGRB L Mansingh said the concept of the national gas grid has been revived.

For the proposed gas grid, nine more pipelines has been approved by the Centre. The board has also been authorised for setting up and expanding the city gas distribution networks across the country.

Asked when the entire grid was expected to be put into place, he said it would not be before 2015. Mr Mansingh said the east-west pipeline would be ready shortly.

Referring to gas supply in Kolkata, he said the Jagdishpur-Haldia pipeline for carrying natural gas would be ready by 2011. He added that though gas was now available in the country, not much of activity was observed in the eastern region.