Delhi: With Delhi facing CNG shortage, the government  promised to commission at least 50 new filling stations.

Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit on Sunday said that at least 50 new CNG stations would come up in Delhi and NCR before the commencement of Commonwealth Games 2010.

Dikshit along with petroleum minister, Murli Deora visited CNG stations in the city to take stock of the 'clean fuel' availability. They also met the representatives of the transport operator associations who apprised them of the problems in getting CNG. Deora assured them that ministry would provide all possible assistance.

"We would request governments of UP and Haryana to give the required clearances to IGL for opening CNG stations. This would benefit the vehicle owners in the region as they are presently required to undertake journey to Delhi to fill up CNG in their vehicles." said Deora.

In the meeting, Deora indicated that a scheme currently in Mumbai to provide insurance cover to CNG auto-rickshaw drivers could also be introduced in Delhi. As reported by MiD DAY on 14 the CNG sale went up in Delhi from 11 lakh to 13.5lakh kg per day, well above the international standards.

For the past couple of months, due to conversion rate to CNG from Petrol and diesel vehicle has almost doubled which led to long snarls of vehicles at CNG stations. Further adding to the problem, IGL's plan to cover NCR has received a  road block and CNG vehicles are filling gas in Delhi which IGL says are 20 percent of total vehicles.