Gandhinagar: Amid tight natural gas supply, Gujarat has allowed industries dependent on gas-based utilities to temporarily switch to alternative fuels without fresh environmental clearance. The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) said the relaxation is aimed at ensuring production continues despite fuel shortages.

According to a recent notification, industries can use approved liquid and other notified fuels to operate boilers, furnaces and similar utilities affected by the gas shortfall. Units must inform the board about the utility, its capacity, the alternative fuel proposed and the quantity to be used.

The GPCB clarified that alternate fuel use must be limited to the extent of the gas shortage and strictly prohibited the use of non-approved fuels on environmental grounds.

The relaxation will remain valid for three months, after which the board will review the gas supply situation and decide on further extension.

Industries have welcomed the decision but said rising prices of alternative fuels have created concerns about availability and affordability.

Approved fuels include coal, lignite, furnace oil, light diesel oil (LDO), kerosene, naphtha, biogas, briquettes and charcoal. Petroleum coke (petcoke) is permitted only for specific sectors such as cement, thermal power, glass and refractories, and only when sulphur content is below seven per cent. DeshGujarat