PONDA
On Monday, South Goa MP Adv Narendra Sawaikar on launched the work of laying pipeline for Ponda town to connect urban households to the natural gas pipeline.
The pipeline will cover 25 kms in the city and will be commissioned after one year. K K Sachdeva, CEO of Goa Natural Gas Pvt Ltd, Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) vice-chairperson Shantaram Kolvekar, Councilors Vishwanath Dalavi and Sunil Desai were present on the occasion.
The pipeline, popularly known as ‘Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga’, is carried out in Goa by Goa Natural Gas Pvt Ltd (joint venture of GAIL Gas Ltd and BPCL).
Adv Sawaikar commended the efforts of Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to bring this project into reality and for sanctioning the scheme for Goa. Rs 120 crore will be spent on the pipeline project. “It is an ambitious project and households in the State will benefit. Efforts will be made to reach this pipeline across Goa in coming years,” Sawaikar said.
Sachdeva told The Goan that natural gas is preferred by people because it is very safe to use. “Natural gas is lighter than air and if any time leakages occur, it dissipates immediately in the air,” he said.
He also said they have taken all the care that the leakages at their end will not take place. “Even then if leakages take place, it will not damage anything,” he said.
He said in the second phase of the work, connections to households will be given.
Sachdeva claimed that usage of natural gas is cheaper than LPG.