LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 353

TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.6.2019

PNG as Safe Fuel

353. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS Ministry be pleased to state:

• whether the Government is aware that indoor cooking through traditional chulha stoves and solid fuels is a major health hazard, resulting in about 5 lakh deaths per year due to respiratory and cardiac diseases, according to the WHO and if so, the details thereof;

• whether the Government is also aware that the Piped Natural Gas (PNG) network which supplies natural gas for domestic consumption is more efficient, economical, and safer than the Liquefied Petroleum Gas cylinders which are being provided to replace traditional chulha stoves and solid fuels and if so, the details thereof;

• whether the Government would consider extending the City Gas Distribution network for supply of uninterrupted eco-friendly cooking PNG to cities such as Thiruvananthapuram;

• if so, the details thereof including the time by which this is likely to be achieved; and

• if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

• Air pollution is one of the triggering factors for respiratory ailments and associated diseases, though there is no conclusive data available in the country to establish direct correlation of deaths exclusively due to indoor domestic air pollution caused by traditional chulha stoves and solid fuels.

• Cleaner fuels viz. Piped Natural Gas (PNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) are being supplied to households in the country as per availability, to reduce dependence on

polluting fuels, including biomass fuels (wood, dung or agricultural residues), kerosene, coal etc.

• to (e) Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the authority to grant authorization to the entities for the development of City Gas Distribution (CGD) network in Geographical Areas (GAs) as per PNGRB Act, 2006. PNGRB identifies the GAs for the development of CGD network depending on the natural gas pipeline connectivity/natural gas availability and techno-commercial feasibility. PNGRB has authorized 228 GAs for development of CGD network across the country. Thiruvanathpuram has also been authorized to M/s Consortium of AG&P LNG Marketing Pte Ltd. & Atlantic Gulf & Pacific in the 10^th CGD bidding round.