GAIL (India) announced that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 14, 2018 dedicated to the Nation the Varanasi City Gas Distribution (CGD) network which will supply environment friendly natural gas to households, transport sector and industries in the city through the ‘Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga'.

The Varanasi CGD network, which is being implemented by GAIL (India) at a cost of Rs 7.55 billion, will cover 1,535 sq. km. and cater to a population of 36.76 lakhs. Two Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations have started commercial operations while another 18 will be set up in the coming years. Overall, 20,000 vehicles are expected to use CNG in the city.

Besides, Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connection work for 8,000 houses has been completed which are expected to be connected by March 2019. About 1 lakh households are likely to be covered in the project.

Steel pipeline has already been laid for 28 km and medium density polyethylene (MDPE) pipe laying for 102 km completed. About 800 km of steel and MDPE pipelines will be laid in the city as part of the project.

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 indirect employment to many more.

Shares of the company declined Rs 0.75, or 0.21%, to trade at Rs 356.25. The total volume of shares traded was 27,465 at the BSE (10.41 a.m., Monday).