Torrent gas to invest Rs 8,000 cr in CGD expansion, set up 500 CNG pumps by 2023

• We are now working towards our near-term goal of setting up 200 CNG stations by March 2021 and medium-term goal of setting up 500 CNG stations by March 2023, said Mehta

• The top official said that Torrent Gas aims to make CNG and PNG available in Chennai, the only metro city in India to not have access to the clean fuel

New Delhi: Torrent Gas has plans to invest Rs 8,000 crore over the next five years on expanding its city gas business, said Director Jinal Mehta at a virtual event held on Tuesday for the inauguration of 42 CNG stations and three City Gate Stations belonging to the company. Mehta said that Torrent Gas is looking to set up 500 CNG dispensing pumps by March 2023. "Torrent Gas intends to make a total investment of ₹8,000 crore ($1.1 billion) over the next 5 years towards the creation of CGD infrastructure in the country, of which Rs 1,050 crore has already been invested," Mehta said.

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The 42 CNG stations that were inaugurated by Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday has taken the total number of Torrent Gas CNG stations in the country to 100. Mehta said that the figure has been achieved within 18 months of the company's operations. Torrent Gas is the city gas distribution arm of Gujarat-based $3-billion Torrent Group. It holds city gas licence for selling compressed natural gas (CNG) to vehicles and piped cooking gas (PNG) to industries and households kitchens in 32 districts across seven states.

Torrent Gas to set up 200 CNG stations by March 2021: Mehta

Elaborating the company's near-term goals, Mehta said, "We are now working towards our near-term goal of setting up 200 CNG stations by March 2021 and medium-term goal of setting up 500 CNG stations by March 2023, apart from making PNG widely available to industries and residences in our authorised areas." He added that the company has been able to set up 100 CNG stations despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The top official said that Torrent Gas aims to make CNG and PNG available in Chennai, the only metro city in India to not have access to the clean fuel. 

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