Varanasi, 14 Apr (APAC Media): In a significant move toward cleaner energy adoption, GAIL (India) Limited has signed an agreement to supply Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to the Annapurna Kitchen at the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
The agreement was formalised by Deputy Collector Shambhu Sharan on behalf of the temple trust and Sushil Kumar, General Manager and Officer-in-Charge of GAIL Varanasi, in the presence of senior officials.
The PNG supply is expected to begin within the next two to three days, making the Annapurna Kitchen the first in the ancient Kashi region to be equipped with this facility. The kitchen currently prepares meals for nearly 15,000 devotees daily and relies on approximately 15 commercial LPG cylinders per day, totaling around 450 cylinders per month.
With the transition to PNG, the dependence on LPG cylinders will be significantly reduced, and the freed-up supply can be utilized elsewhere. The shift is expected to provide a safer, cleaner, and uninterrupted energy source for the kitchen’s large-scale operations.
Officials noted that the initiative could pave the way for expanding the PNG supply to other temples, monasteries, commercial establishments, and households in the region. The project marks an important step toward promoting environmental sustainability and supporting long-term development in Varanasi.
