PM Lays Foundation for ₹1,950 Cr City Gas Distribution Project in Bankura & Purulia

In a major push to expand India's City Gas Distribution (CGD) network, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the CGD project in Bankura and Purulia districts of West Bengal.

With an investment of ₹1,950 crore, the project aims to provide Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections to 5.55 lakh households, over 250 commercial and 35+ industrial consumers, and establish 29 CNG stations for vehicular fuel, as per PNGRB’s Minimum Work Program targets.

Scheduled for completion by March 15, 2030, the project will involve laying steel pipelines and developing a robust gas infrastructure to ensure clean and efficient energy access in the region.

Shri Sanjay Khanna, Director (Refineries) with Additional Charge of Chairman & Managing Director, BPCL, said, “This project marks a major step forward in our mission to make clean and affordable energy accessible to every corner of India. With the Hon’ble Prime Minister laying the foundation stone today, we are proud to begin this transformative journey in Bankura and Purulia — empowering lives, driving economic development, and contributing to India’s vision of energy independence and environmental stewardship.”

Impact of the Project

The project is expected to have a significant impact on the environment, employment, and the community. It aligns with India's net-zero emission goals, promoting natural gas as a cleaner alternative to conventional fuels by reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The project is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 27%, amounting to a total reduction of 191 TMT over a 25-year period. This is equivalent to planting 3.46 Lakh trees per year and 86.8 lakh trees over the project period of 25 years.

The project is also expected to create over 15 lakh man-days of direct and indirect employment, boosting local economic growth in Bankura & Purulia districts. Once fully operational, over 65 lakh population in these districts will enjoy a convenient, reliable, environment-friendly, and cost-effective fuel supply.