In a major development, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has launched two retail outlets for dispensing of compressed natural gas (CNG) in Coimbatore on April 21,2021. The company has plans to open 15 more CNG retail outlets in 2021-22. It is establishing a city gate station near the city and a steel pipeline network is also being developed to enable piped gas connectivity to industries, commercial and domestic customers.
At present, IOCL is fulfilling CNG requirements of Coimbatore by transporting gas by light commercial vehicles. Connectivity through natural gas pipeline is expected by June 2021.
IOCL has been authorised by the Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board for developing the city gas distribution network in Coimbatore and Salem. It will be providing over 1.2 million piped natural gas connections to domestic households, 431 CNG stations for vehicle refilling in the two districts over a period of eight years.