Coming soon: LPG in fibreglass cylinders

State-owned oil marketing companies plan to procure 1,00,000 composite translucent fibreglass cooking gas cylinders, which are expected to be launched for test marketing in Apr-Jun 2010, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora said in Lok Sabha on Thursday.

“Oil marketing companies have reported that necessary approval of chief controller of explosives has been obtained for use of composite cylinders for LPG,” Deora said in a written reply.

He said the composite cylinders are estimated to cost Rs3,000-3,200as against around Rs1,050 for the 14.2 kg steel cylinder currently in use.

The minister said the government has granted “in principle” approval for introduction of composite cylinders to market domestic cooking gas.

The translucent cylinders would improve customer’s satisfaction about quantity of LPG, as it would be visible. “Composite cylinders are proposed to be marketed at non-subsidised price. This will bring down the subsidy burden on the government to that extent,” Deora said.