Assam CM launches Guwahati’s piped gas supply, inaugurates Barak Valley’s first CNG station, lays foundation for statewide expansion

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 10, 2025

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday formally launched Assam’s city-wide piped natural gas supply project in Guwahati, marking a key step toward expanding clean energy access in the state. The inauguration took place at Lok Sewa Bhawan and covered the project’s Phase 1 rollout, which now supplies natural gas to 101 households in the city’s Geetanagar locality.

Alongside the Guwahati launch, Sarma also virtually inaugurated Barak Valley’s first Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) station in Silchar, and laid the foundation stone for piped gas infrastructure in Hajo, Sualkuchi, Rangia, and Baihata Chariali—signaling the government’s intent to scale clean fuel access across Assam.

The project is being implemented by Purba Bharati Gas Private Limited, a joint venture between Assam Gas Company Limited, Oil India Limited, and GAIL Gas Limited. The company has earmarked Rs 2,616.95 crore to establish a City Gas Distribution (CGD) network in Kamrup, Kamrup Metropolitan, Cachar, Hailakandi, and Shreebhumi districts. Completion of the network in Kamrup regions is targeted for September 30, 2028.

So far, 765 km of MDPE pipelines and 43 km of steel pipelines have been laid. Out of 30,693 registered households, 6,175 already have full “last mile” PNG connectivity. Sarma praised the project’s transparency and credited the Centre’s bidding system and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for helping Assam overcome earlier deficits in natural gas supply.

Laying the foundation in Hajo, Sualkuchi, Rangia, and Baihata Chariali, Sarma described the emergence of a National Capital Region-style urban cluster around Guwahati. He said infrastructure like the upcoming Ring Road, the Guwahati-North Guwahati bridge (due December), and the Palasbari-Sualkuchi and Narengi-Kurua bridges would soon integrate these areas into a unified metro zone.

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Currently, Assam has 23 operational CNG stations. With the commissioning of Silchar’s facility, preparations are underway for new stations in Hailakandi and Shreebhumi. Sarma urged greater adoption of CNG vehicles to combat air pollution and referenced Delhi’s success as a model.

Referring to recent events in Pahalgam and the broader national mood, the Chief Minister announced that the government would not host any elaborate celebrations for the fourth anniversary of his administration.

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To mark the gas project launch, a commemorative booklet titled “Shikha” was released by Purba Bharati Gas Private Limited.

The event was attended by senior ministers including Bimal Borah and Jayanta Mallabaruah, Hajo MLA Suman Haripriya, Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, and company officials including Manuj Baruah and Indra Gogoi.

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