India to Set Up 20 LNG Stations on Highways: Report

India’s leading fuel retailers are expected to put up close to 20 LNG stations on various national highways, according to Asia News International (ANI).

Companies such as Petronet LNG, Indian Oil Corporation and BPCL, among others have come together following instruction from the Indian government, V K Mishra director (finance) of Petronet LNG said July 13 in Delhi, the news agency reported the same day. Mishra clarified that this association has grown from a pilot project base to feed roughly 5,000 trucks with LNG on leading five national highways, beginning 2019.

"Following its successful experiment, this exercise would have a repeat in subsequent year of 2020 for another estimated 5,000 trucks that can run on national highways on LNG with a fuel cost saving of nearly 25% as well effectively addressing the issue of fuel pollution," said Mishra, adding that the government has already granted all the necessary permission to put up these LNG distribution points on national highways.

The fuel retailers are in talks with truck makers such as Tata and M&M regarding manufacture of LNG fuelled trucks.

The Indian government is trying to promote gas to combat air pollution in urban areas. It is focusing on transportation, household and the industrial sector to drive the growth in demand. The aim is to raise the share of gas in India’s energy mix to 15% in next five years from 7% now.