The government is taking policy initiatives to increase the share of natural gas in India's energy basket from 6 to 15 percent says Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking at the launch of Kochi - Mangaluru pipeline.

"Dedication of the Kochi-Mangaluru natural gas pipeline of GAIL is part of our journey to move towards One Nation One Gas Grid. Clean energy is important for a better future. This pipeline will help improve clean energy access," said Narendra Modi.

He said rapid expansion of gas based economy is a must to achieve self reliant India and cited this as the reason behind the government's push for 'One Nation One Gas Grid'. While listing the advantages of the pipeline, he said that the pipeline would improve the ease of living in both the states and reduce the expenses of the poor, middle class and entrepreneurs of both the states.

He further said in the 27 years before 2014, only 15,000 Km natural gas pipeline was built but right now work is underway on more than 16,000 Km of gas pipeline nationwide which will be completed in the next 5-6 years.

He also cited examples of increased CNG fuel stations, PNG connections and LPG connections delivered by this government which was never seen before. He said these increased connections have reduced the shortage of kerosene and many states and union territories have declared themselves kerosene free.

The Prime Minister said that efforts are on to prepare for the country's future energy needs. To achieve this goal, natural gas is being focused upon on the one hand, energy.resources are being diversified on the other hand. He illustrated the point with examples of the proposed world's biggest renewable energy plant in Gujarat and stress on biofuels.

He informed the audience that sincere work is on for getting ethanol from rice and sugarcane. Goal of ethanol blending in petrol upto 20 per cent in 10 years has been set. The Prime Minister said that the government is committed to provide every citizen affordable, pollution free fuel and electricity.