New Delhi: The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has received a total of 20 bids from eight entities against six Geographical Areas (GAs) put up on offer under the 12th City Gas Distribution (CGD) bid round. PNGRB has received six bids for Meghalaya state, four bids each for Sikkim and Nagaland state, three bids for Manipur, two bids for Arunachal Pradesh state and one bid for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, said the PNGRB.
PNGRB had invited bids under the 12th CGD Bidding Round on October 13, 2023 for seven GAs, covering five North East states viz, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland and Sikkim and UTs of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The last date for bid submission was January 11. The technical bids were opened on January 15 for all these GAs.
“Investors responded enthusiastically to this round, submitting a total of 20 bids by 8 entities against 6 GAs (Meghalaya State – 6 bids, Sikkim State – 4 bids, Nagaland State – 4 bids, Manipur State – 3 bids, Arunachal Pradesh State – 2 bids, UT of J&K – 1bid). Barring the UT of Ladakh, North East States and UT of J&K has received bids reposing confidence in the future of natural gas,” said the PNGRB.
In a significant stride towards achieving 100 percent coverage of the country’s area (except islands) for the development of CGD network, PNGRB organised roadshows in New Delhi and Shillong during November-December 2023.
“This initiative would help in creating a robust CGD infrastructure and play a significant role in transforming to a gas-based economy. This would bring investment of more than Rs. 35,500 crore and generate employment. PNGRB thanks the entities for their active participation in this CGD bidding round. With the above bidding round, the mainland of India would receive nearly 100 percent coverage of natural gas as a clean cooking, transport and industrial fuel,” said the PNGRB.