The compressed natural gas (CNG) sales inGujaratcontracted by 13% in 2020-21 as its consumption reduced due to the restricted vehicular movement following the imposition of curbs to tackleCovid.
The provisional sales of CNG in the state declined to 6.49 lakh metric tonnes in April-March 2021 as compared to 7.45 lakh metric tonnes in April-March 2020. This is revealed in the data compiled by the petroleum planning and analysis cell (PPAC) of theUnion ministry of petroleum and natural gas.
City gas distribution (CGD) players attributed the reduction in CNG sales to the Covid-induced restrictions, especially the nation-wide lockdown imposed in the first quarter of the fiscal 2021.
According toCrisil Ratings, sales volume of city gas is set to soar 25-27% in 2021-22. This includes CNG used by vehicles and piped natural gas (PNG) used by homes and industries.