The county of Pingtan in Fujian province has started promoting the use of natural gas, to replace coal gas, for local residents.

A natural gas network is being built under eight municipal roads and in four communities, with a liquefied natural gas station to be launched in late March, which is expected to benefit parts of the local community by the end of this year, according to workers.

Natural gas pipelines will stretch about 21 kilometers under eight roads, including Jinjing Bay Avenue, Tiandashandong Road and Ruyi Road. 62 percent of the network was completed as of March 18, said Fu Xiaohua, deputy general manager of the Pingtan Huarun gas company.

The introduction of natural gas is an important part of Pingtan's "Comfortable Housing" project.

Compared with coal gas, natural gas is 20 percent cheaper, safer and more convenient for use, workers said.

This photo taken on March 26 shows workers busy welding pipelines in Pingtan. [Photo provided to China Daily]