TOI had on April 14 + NEW DELHI: Narendra Modi 's constituency Varanasi has gone green with CNG (compressed natural gas ) and PNG (piped natural gas) services, harvesting the first fruits of the Prime Minister's Rs 13,000-crore energy lifeline for industrial revival in the eastern region.The city gas distribution (CGD) network was dedicated to the nation by the PM at a function in Varanasi in the presence of UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath and governor Ram Naik, state-run gas utility GAIL, the agency implementing the Urja Ganga project, said in a statement.first reported that Varanasi was ready with CNG and PNG services, fed by the Urja Ganga pipeline aimed at supplying clean- burning natural gas to households, vehicles and industries in and around the holy city.The Rs 755-crore Varanasi CGD network will cover 1,535 sq km and cater to a population of nearly 37 lakh. Two CNG stations have started commercial operations and 18 more will be set up. Overall, 20,000 vehicles are expected to switch to CNG in the city.PNG connections have been given to 8,000 households that are expected to get supplies from March 2019. About 1 lakh households are likely to be covered in total.PNG connections have been given to residents of DLW, Bhel and BHU colonies.The CGD network will also cover four industrial areas and can cater to 150 industries and 500 commercial enterprises. It is expected to give direct employment to 1,000 people and rebate many more indirect jobs.GAIL has laid a 28-km spur line to connect the Varanasi network to the Urja Ganga pipeline being laid through UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha. The Centre has approved capital grant of Rs 5,176 crore to cover 40% of the project cost.GAIL is running ahead of schedule with the project and expects to complete the first phase from Phulpur in UP to Dobhi, Patna and Baruani in months ahead of the December 2018 deadline. This will help early launch CNG and PNG services in Patna, Ranchi and Jamshedpur.The project is aimed at speeding up industrial activity in eastern region by supplying gas to help revive fertiliser and power plants, refineries, steel plants and other industries. It also aims at extending the convenience of PNG and CNG services to key eastern cities.

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