Bangalore: Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) on May 22 launched HP Gas brand offering value-added services and said it planned to set up 50 auto LPG stations in the country over the next two years with an investment of around Rs 20 crore.

Launching the new brand in Bangalore, the company's Head, LPG, Southern Zone, C S Krishnaswamy, told reporters that HP Gas assures instantaneous release of new connections, refills within 24 hours and delivery of refills from 8 am to 8 pm throughout the year.

Krishnaswamy said HPCL has set up seven auto LPG stations in Mumbai and two in Delhi, adding, it is in the process of establishing 50 more in major cities in the next two years, including 30 during 2002-03.

He said an investment of around Rs 40 lakh would be needed to set up one such station by HPCL, India's second largest LPG marketing company.

Krishnaswamy said HPCL is setting up a 60,000 metric tonnes cavern storage for LPG in partnership with TOTAL ELF of France at Vishakhapatnam.

"HPCL has also entered into an MoU with Gas Authority of India Limited to form joint venture company for marketing of gaseous fuels in Andhra Pradesh", he said.

According to him, the company has introduced a single number concept in Mumbai that enables customers to either book refills, make customer service-related enquiries or seek help in case of emergency.

"That common four digit number will be extended to all over the country," Krishnaswamy said.

With a consumer base of more than 16 million serviced through a network of 1823 distributors countrywide, HPCL had 24.9 per cent market share in LPG marketing in 2001-02.

PTI