The government plans to come up with the eleventh round of city gas bidding for 65 geographical areas which include three in Bengal.

The geographical areas which would be part of the bidding were in Purulia and Bankura, East Midnapore, West Midnapore and Jhargram districts and Alipurduar and Cooch Behar. The exact dates for the bidding will be announced shortly.

Downstream regulator Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) said in a public notice that the areas are spread over 20 states and Union Territories. Tamil Nadu will have nine geographical areas on offer, the highest of any state in the eleventh round. Eight areas will be offered each in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.

In the 10th round, the PNGRB had given away city gas distribution licences for 50 geographical areas.

At present, there are 228 areas authorised by the PNGRB in 27 states and Union Territories.