VIDARBHA Industries Association (VIA) organised a meeting with the top officials from GAIL (India) Limited, Mumbai at VIA Auditorium, here on Wednesday. The topic of discussion was on ‘GAIL’s future plans in Maharashtra’, with a brief on upcoming pipeline networks and its advantages to the industries in scaling their economies with the natural gas.

A GAIL official said, “The gas pipeline constructed along the Samruddhi Mahamarg by Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) will connect Mumbai to Nagpur and extend to Jharsuguda in Odisha. GAIL will distribute natural gas to 11 districts of Vidarbha. It is in advanced stage of completion of the natural gas pipeline”. The officials on the considtion of anonymity said that the focus of GAIL is on building infrastructure so that more natural gas is used. A large number of cities and towns are getting connected and they would be able to supply natural gas to transport sectors and household sectors.

With the pipeline ready, Nagpur is expected to get piped gas supply through a city gas distribution entity shortly. Haryana City Gas have been authorised by the sectoral regulator – Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) for supply of city gas in Nagpur. It is learnt to have initiated the process to get approvals for laying its network in the city. This will ensure supply of gas to both industry and the domestic sector.

Earlier, Vishal Agrawal, President of VIA said, “There is good business opportunity for industrial units including those in the metal industry i.e. iron, steel, copper and aluminium, paper mills, logistics companies, auto ancillary, tyres, specialty chemicals, glass, food processing units, etc”. Ashish Doshi, Secretary of VIA gave the opening remark and proposed the vote of thanks.