State PCS - West Bengal (WBCS)

• 03 Jun 2025

City Gas Distribution Project in West Bengal

Why in News? 

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for a new City Gas Distribution (CGD) project in Alipurduar, West Bengal marking a significant step in expanding India's CGD network.

Key Points 

• City Gas Distribution Project: 
  • About: Under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) Act 2006, PNGRB grants authorization to the entities for developing a CGD network in a specified Geographical Area (GA) of the country. 
    • Over 2.5 lakh households are expected to benefit from this project, which aims to deliver clean, safe, and affordable piped natural gas while generating employment opportunities across the region. 
    • The project aligns with the government's Minimum Work Programme (MWP) targets. 
      • City gas services have expanded from just 66 districts in 2014 to over 550 in 2025, reaching even rural areas and small towns. 
  • Benefits:  
    • The initiative will reduce reliance on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders, offering a more secure and convenient gas supply. 
    • Expansion of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations will make eco-friendly fuel more accessible for vehicles. 
• Impact of Other Clean Fuel Government Initiatives on West Bengal:  
  • Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana: 
    • The Ujjwala Yojana (launched in 2016) was praised during the event for promoting the use of clean fuel in households. 
    • The scheme has improved the health and dignity of poor women by freeing them from hazardous indoor air pollution caused by traditional cooking methods. 
    • LPG distributors have risen from 14,000 to over 25,000, greatly improving rural access to clean cooking fuel. 
  • Urja Ganga Project: 
    • The Urja Ganga Project (launched in 2016) to cater energy requirements of five states namely Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal. 
    • The initiative marked a transformative leap in strengthening gas infrastructure across eastern India, significantly improving regional energy access. 
    • It also generated widespread employment opportunities, ranging from pipeline construction to grassroots-level gas distribution. 
• Infrastructure Boost in West Bengal: 
  • Key central government infrastructure projects include: 
    • Purva Expressway and Durgapur Expressway 
    • Modernisation of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port 
    • Expansion of Kolkata Metro 
    • Upgradation of New Jalpaiguri Station 
    • New train services along the Dooars route