It looks like we are on a space mission with the LPG cylinder to send the prices to the moon. In Bengaluru, a 14.2kg cylinder that cost Rs.585 in May 2020 now costs Rs 1055.5! Having a population of nearly 140 crore, the country desperately needs to look at alternative energy options, especially when it comes to domestic cooking gas.

Natural gas, one of the cleanest modern-day fuels for industrial and domestic use, fits right into this crater as it is efficient and non-polluting. Over the decades, the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) has been endeavoring

to democratize Piped Natural Gas (PNG) for domestic cooking. Thanks to its clean burning nature and more intense heat, it indeed is a perfect fit for the purpose. But the problem lies in expanding the infrastructure across the nation. GAIL was formed in 1984, but the pipeline infrastructure doesn't paint a rosy picture. GAIL has an existing 14,381 Km. of gas pipeline network with a capacity of 206 MMSCMD. The natural gas vein runs across 21 States.

However, there has been a sudden acceleration in expanding the GAIL infrastructure. Earlier last month, GAIL announced the plans to enter into distributed Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) production to take the fuel to users. GAIL plans to cater to the demand from off-grid locations and the transport sector through this first-of-its-kind endeavor in the country. It has even placed orders for two small scale lique faction skids capable of producing LNG on a pilot basis. Furthermore, GAIL also looks forward to supporting the startups operating in areas including natural gas, petrochemicals, and energy by investing in them through its startup initiative `Pankh.' It will be a unique opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs in the segment.