**6. Gas market developments**

In addition to the domestic, transport, and industrial segments, there are multiple areas where natural gas could find users. Room heating and cooling offer opportunities for use of natural gas. Higher penetration of the CGD network will facilitate the adoption of CNG for intra-city transport, especially public transport. Despite the economic advantage of CNG over competing fuel, CNG refueling stations remained a major hurdle for inter-city travel. Within the city, mobile refueling units (MRUs) could address refueling concerns as the customers can refuel at their doorstep. MRUs have been working successfully in countries like Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Indonesia, Vietnam, Russia, Korea, etc. India introduced its first MRU (CNG) in June 2021. Due to its flexibility, cost efficiency, and convenience, it has the potential to expand across the country.

The telecom service tower could shift to natural gas/LNG-based generators from diesel generators. There are over 5,20,000 such towers on a pan-India basis and growing. These generators use diesel in case of power outages. The use of natural gas/LNG will be economical as well as environment friendly. LNG use for longdistance transport, inland waterways, LNG bunkering in fishing/marine vessels offers considerable opportunities for adoption as a cleaner fuel.

In addition to the above, the CGD sector will throw open ample opportunities for equipment and spare suppliers in the areas like mechanical meters, smart meters, PNG regulators, PE pipes, online compressor, booster compressor, dispenser, and cascade, etc.

Expansion of the natural gas market will bring along several benefits like socio-economic empowerment, import-substitution, emission reduction, and green energy solutions at affordable prices. Further, natural gas shall address India's energy security concerns to a greater extent.

#### **Figure 6.**

*Domestic natural gas price trend in India. Source: prepared by the authors using PPAC data [18].*
