The two-day workshop on 'Gas Paradigm 2025-Strategies for a Gas-Based Economy’ starts today April 22, 2025, at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology (RGIPT), Jais, Amethi, serving as a dynamic platform to discuss the evolving role of natural gas in India’s energy transition.

Prof. S. K. Kar, Convenor of Gas Paradigm 2025 emphasized the role of natural gas to address energy needs of industries and society.

In his inaugural address, Prof. Harish Hirani, Director of RGIPT, underscored the importance of natural gas as a cleaner, flexible, and economically viable energy option. Expansion of natural gas market requires dynamic strategies to achieve 15% target in India’s energy basket by 2030. Prof. Hirani expressed his desire to bring stakeholders together to provide clean energy solutions in the country.

The event featured impactful contributions from leading voices in the energy sector, including Dr. Akhil Mehrotra, Managing Director at Pipeline Infrastructure Ltd.; Mr. Praveer Agrawal, Executive Director at GAIL India; Mr. Rajendra Sankhe, COO of the Jagdishpur Unit at Indorama India Pvt. Ltd.; Mr. Bhashit Dholakia, COO at IndianOil-Adani Gas Pvt. Ltd.; Dr. Ranjan Kumar Mohapatra, Former Director (HR) at Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.; and Mr. S. K. Bose, CEO of the Hydrocarbon Sector Skill Council.

Dr. Mehrotra indicated that the gas sector requires $30-40 billion by 2030. Currently the sector deploys about 25000 people. Experts agreed that gas value chain needs an additional 25000-30000 skilled manpower by 2030. Mr. Dholakia and Mr. Agrawal were confident that the gas sector would continue to thrive. RGIPT can play a very important role in providing education and skills required for gas value chain-related industries.

Dr. Jaya Srivastava, Head of the Department of Management Studies, highlighted organizing such events to bridge the gap between industry and academia.