New Delhi/Itanagar — In a strategic move aimed at strengthening clean energy infrastructure in India’s Northeast, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Oil India Limited (OIL) have signed a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) to roll out City Gas Distribution (CGD) networks across Arunachal Pradesh. The agreement was signed on Tuesday at BPCL’s Corporate Office in Mumbai.
The new Joint Venture Company (JVC) will focus on establishing a robust CGD ecosystem, including Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations and the Piped Natural Gas (PNG) network, to cater to households, businesses, and industries in the state.
A Big Leap Toward a Gas-Based Economy
The initiative supports the Government of India’s vision of expanding natural gas usage as a cleaner alternative to traditional fuels. The CGD project was awarded to the BPCL-OIL consortium under the 12th CGD Bid Round conducted by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB).
The venture is expected to:
- Improve energy access and availability of clean fuel
- Reduce environmental pollution from conventional fuels
- Enhance the quality of life in urban and rural areas of Arunachal Pradesh
- Generate local employment and promote industrial growth
Top Leadership Weighs In
Sanjay Khanna, Director (Refineries) and Acting CMD of BPCL, stated:
“This Joint Venture reaffirms BPCL’s commitment to expanding clean energy access across India, with a special focus on the North-East. Arunachal Pradesh holds great potential, and through this initiative, we aim to drive sustainable growth and improve quality of life.”
Dr. Ranjit Rath, CMD of OIL, emphasized OIL’s commitment to the region:
“The CGD rollout is a significant step in OIL’s ongoing efforts to bring clean and reliable energy to the North-East. With infrastructure like the Kumchai-Kusijan gas pipeline already in place, this project builds upon our long-standing relationship with the region.”
Strengths of the Partners
BPCL is a Maharatna PSU and Fortune Global 500 company, with a refining capacity of 35.3 MMTPA and a vast fuel and LPG distribution network across India.
OIL is a premier exploration and production company with deep roots in the North-East and ongoing projects in gas pipelines and hydrocarbon production.
Both organizations bring complementary strengths to this new venture, with a shared commitment to expanding India’s clean energy footprint.
About BPCL
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, a Maharatna PSU, is one of India’s leading energy companies with a strong presence across refining, fuel marketing, upstream exploration, and renewables. The company is driving energy transition through investments in petrochemicals, biofuels, hydrogen, and green energy, while also expanding its global oil and gas portfolio.
About OIL
Oil India Limited (OIL) is an Indian state-owned oil and gas company, operating in the upstream sector, primarily focused on exploring, developing, and producing crude oil and natural gas. OIL is a Maharatna company, meaning it is a central public sector undertaking of the Indian government, and is overseen by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. It is the second-largest national oil and gas company in India.
