Soon, pipeline-based gas supply in Shimla

Residents of Shimla will soon have access to a piped domestic gas supply, as the Municipal Corporation has identified suitable land for setting up a gas supply station. The corporation plans to invite Indian Oil-Adani Gas Pvt. Ltd. (IOAGPL) — a joint venture between Indian Oil Corporation Limited and Adani Total Gas Ltd. (ATGL) — to inspect the proposed site.

For years, the IOAGPL has been planning to introduce piped gas in Shimla but faced delays due to the lack of suitable land for setting up the station. The Municipal Corporation has now identified several potential locations, including Vikasnagar, Ramnagar, and Bhariyal, and is looking for land near the National Highway for easy tanker access.

Municipal Commissioner Bhupinder Kumar Attri confirmed that three to four locations have been shortlisted for inspection by the company. If deemed suitable, construction of the gas reservoir will commence, marking a significant step towards providing piped domestic gas to households.

Once established, the pipeline network will allow Shimla residents to receive domestic gas directly to their homes, eliminating the need for traditional LPG cylinders. Households can connect to this network and will be billed monthly, with charges expected to be around Rs 500 to Rs 600. However, Shimla’s challenging hilly terrain has complicated the search for an ideal site, contributing to the project’s delays.