More than 40 possible areas for next CGD round

In a hurry, DK Sarraf shows not sign of letting up in his determination to launch another CGD round by March 31 (2020) with more than 40 areas in mainly Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh under evaluation for possible auction.

 Well-placed sources tell this report PNGRB chairman Sarraf will launch CGD-XI as soon as the regulator finalises its tender for a proposed 1780-km cross-country pipeline from Mumbai in Maharashtra to Jharsuguda in Orissa, passing through Nagpur. "Earlier the PNGRB planned the new (CGD-XI) round by September 2019," says a source.

But, he adds, the PNGRB thought it would be better to first complete formalities for the cross-country pipeline to ensure the future availability of gas. "Because the pipeline will snake through central India," he explains, "the next (CGD-XI round's focus will be on this part of the country," On the provisional list of 44 areas, 18 are in Maharashtra: Jalna, Jalgaon (known for its massive theatre), Beed (an economically deprived area), Buldana, Nandurbar (epicentre of the 2006 bird flu crisis), Parbhani, Washim, Hingoli, Amravati (with its large sports complex), Nanded, Wardha, Yavatmal, Nagpur (famous for its oranges), Gadchiroli, Chandrapur, Akola, Bhandara and Gondia districts.

In Madhya Pradesh, 14 areas are under evaluation: Barwani, (capital of a former princely state), West Nimar (today Khargone), Burhanpur, East Nimar (Khandwa), Betul, Harda, Seoni, Hoshangabad, Chhindwara, Narsinghpur, Damoh, Balaghat, Mandla and Jabalpur.