New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS): Gas distribution companies here will offer a rebate in the New Year on CNG sold at odd hours, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Thursday.

The move is aimed at reducing the dangerous levels of pollution in the national capital. 

City gas distributors are going to issue a public notice on the same on Friday, the minister said.

"Delhi has become the eye of the storm regarding pollution. We have a gas distribution capacity in the NCR (national capital region) of 68 lakh kilos per day, but actually only 22 lakh kilos are consumed... and there is a pressure problem in the off-take," Pradhan told reporters here on the sidelines of an agreement signing event that re-negotiated more favourable terms for LNG that India buys from Qatar.

"It has been decided that from January 1, there will be a rebate on gas sold at odd hours, so that long queues can be avoided at gas stations," Pradhan said.

"The quantum of rebate etc. are being worked out, which the companies will announce," he added.