Patna : In a major push toward green mobility and reducing vehicular pollution, Bihar will set up 55 new CNG stations across the state in the next six months, officials announced at a state-level seminar on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) held in Patna.
Organized by the Transport Department in collaboration with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), the event brought together key stakeholders including vehicle manufacturers, oil companies, environmental experts, and transporters.
Mihir Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary of the Transport Department, who inaugurated the seminar, said that CNG infrastructure will be expanded at bus stands, including those under Bihar State Road Transport Corporation, to ensure easy access for public transport vehicles.
He emphasized targeted awareness campaigns using consumer electricity databases to promote the use of both CNG for vehicles and PNG (piped natural gas) for domestic consumption.
Urban Development and Housing Department’s Additional Secretary Vijay Prakash Meena noted that the state is also working to integrate waste management into a circular economy model, enhancing sustainability by extracting value from waste.
Transport Commissioner Ashutosh Dwivedi described CNG as the “fuel of the future”, highlighting the government’s commitment to promote eco-friendly alternatives.
Currently, 197 CNG stations are operational in Bihar, and with the upcoming 55, the network will see significant expansion. According to GAIL’s General Manager, all 38 districts in Bihar are now connected to the CNG network. More than 1.5 lakh CNG-powered autos and 1,200 CNG buses are already in use. Cylinder testing units have also been activated to ensure safety standards.
The seminar also featured detailed presentations on city gas distribution, infrastructure development, and the technical and economic benefits of CNG vehicles by major oil companies and Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.
The initiative marks a pivotal move in Bihar’s journey toward sustainable and cleaner transportation.
