We need to use more natural gas: PM Modi

New Delhi: Enunciating his energy roadmap, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the share of natural gas in India's energy basket will be more than doubled, energy sources diversified and the nation will be connected with one gas pipeline grid to help bring affordable fuel to people and industry.

Inaugurating a 450-km natural gas pipeline between Kochi in Kerala to Mangaluru in Karnataka, he said India under his government is seeing unprecedented work on highways, railway, metro, air, water, digital and gas connectivity which will aid economic development. The government has an "integrated approach to energy planning. Our energy agenda is all-inclusive," he said.

While on the one hand, the natural gas pipeline network is being doubled to about 32,000 km in 5-6 years, on the other, work on the world's biggest hybrid renewable plant combining wind and solar power has started in Gujarat. Also, the emphasis is being laid on manufacturing biofuels as well as electric mobility, he said. These measures will help India move away from being highly dependent on polluting coal and liquid fuels for meeting its energy needs.