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requirements. The portal is planned to mature into a central information pool for sourcing of
capital goods and MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) of items of the oil and gas companies
which in turn is expected to provide clear demand projections to enable the manufacturers to
enhance their capacity and scope. This portal, which is accessible to all stakeholders is an
important step towards AtmaNirbhar Bharat. The measures taken to enhance theinvestments on
gas grid are encapsulated in Box 9.

8.73 The petroleum sector played a critical role throughout the COVID 19 lockdown period
by maintaining fuel supplies across the country, without any interruption. The scheme of three
free cylinders to Ujjwala beneficiaries provided much-needed relief to the poor households
during Covid times. The second phase of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Ujjawala 2.0,
was launched on 10 August, 2021 on pan India basis to provide additional one crore LPG
th
connections along with free first refill and stove. As on 25.10.2021, while more than 1 crore
applications have been received in this phase, a total of 54.01 lakh LPG connections have been
released. Ujjwala 2.0 focuses on migrants and poor women from low LPG coverage areas.

Box 9: Measures taken to develop the national gas grid and city
gas distribution network

National Gas Grid: With the aim to create nationwide gas grid, Petroleum and Natural Gas
Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has authorized approximately 33,764 km natural gas pipeline network
across the country, as on 31.03.2021. The National Gas Grid would connect all major demand and
supply centres in India. This would ensure easy availability of natural gas across all regions and
also potentially help to achieve uniform economic and social progress. As on 31 March 2021,
19,998 km of natural gas pipelines are operational and 15,369 km are under various stages of
construction.
Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga (2016): In order to develop the national gas grid, the Government
has taken a decision to provide a capital grant of Rs.5176 crore (i.e., 40percent of the estimated
capital cost of Rs.12,940 Cr) for development of a 2655 Km long Jagdishpur-Haldia -Bokaro-
Dhamra Gas Pipeline (JHBDPL) project. It will pass through 50 districts in the State of Uttar
Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha & West Bengal
North East Gas Grid (2020): Government has approved the North East Gas Grid project of
Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL) with Viability Gap Funding (VGF) / Capital Grant at
60percent (Rs.5,559 crore) of the estimated cost of Rs.9,265 crore. The1,656 km long North East
Gas Grid will connect eight North-Eastern states.
City Gas Distribution Network (CGD): PNGRB has authorized 232 geographical areas (GAs)
for development of CGD network across the country covering more than 400 districts in 27
States/UTs which covers around 71percent of India’s population and 53 percent of area. As on
31.07.2021, a total of approx. 79.47 lakh PNG Domestic connections and 3323 CNG stations have
been commissioned in the country.

Electricity

8.74 India has witnessed a significant transformation from being an acutely power deficit
country to a situation of demand being fully met. India has also made remarkable strides to