NEW DELHI (Commodity Online): Natural gas from Reliance Industries’ eastern offshore gas fields will move to drought hit Northern states for tackling electricity shortage.

Petroleum Minister Murli Deora directed RIL for a temporary allocation of about 3.7 million standard cubic meters per day of KG-D6 gas to Lanco's Kondapalli power plant in Andhra Pradesh, Utran plant in Gujarat and Pragati Power in Delhi.

The gas supply which is likely to begin within a weak, would help to generate about 800 MW of additional electricity and help bridge the shortfall in hydro power generation caused by insufficient rains.

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All 10 mmscmd of gas is needed at power plants operating below capacity or about to be commissioned. Of this 3.7 mmscmd has been allocated, said Power Secretary, H S Brahma.

If we get another 7 mmscmd, we can generate 900 MW of additional power, he added.

KG-D6 gas would help the Power Ministry meet its 100-day agenda of adding 5,200 MW generations by mid-September.