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India Targets 50 Lakh New PNG Connections to Boost Urban Energy Security

A high-level roundtable meeting in Delhi focused on accelerating the expansion of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) networks across urban India. Union ministers set an ambitious target of 50 lakh new PNG connections, emphasizing the need for mission-mode implementation and single-window approvals to overcome delays. The discussions highlighted PNG's advantages over LPG in safety, affordability, and environmental sustainability, while also stressing the maintenance of uninterrupted essential supplies. Key challenges identified include high Right of Way charges and procedural delays, with calls for their rationalization to expedite projects.

Key Points: India's Push for PNG Expansion & Essential Services in Cities

  • 50 lakh new PNG connection target
  • Mission-mode for single-window approvals
  • Shift from LPG for safety & environment
  • Curbing black marketing of fuel
  • Fast-tracking road-cutting permissions
3 min read

Roundtable meeting on expansion of PNG services and maintaining essential services in urban areas

Key ministers outline plan for 50 lakh new PNG connections, focusing on single-window approvals and transitioning from LPG for energy security.

"Cities are engines of economic growth - Manohar Lal"

New Delhi, March 28

A roundtable review meeting on "Expansion of Piped Natural Gas Services and Maintaining Essential Services" in urban areas was held on Saturday at Vigyan Bhavan in Delhi, bringing together key stakeholders to deliberate on accelerating PNG network expansion across urban India and ensuring uninterrupted delivery of essential services.

As per the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, a detailed presentation by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas outlined the current status of PNG rollout, emphasising its advantages over LPG in terms of safety, reliability, affordability and environmental sustainability. Key challenges identified included delays in municipal permissions, Right of Way (RoW) approvals and high restoration charges, which continue to impede timely network expansion.

The meeting was attended by Union Ministers from the Ministries of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), and Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution (MoCAFPD), along with Secretaries, senior officials from the Government of India, State Ministers, State Secretaries from Urban Development and Food & Civil Supplies Departments, Municipal Commissioners, CMDs of GAIL, Indian Oil and representatives of City Gas Distribution (CGD) units.

Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal underscored the critical role of cities as engines of economic growth and called for mission-mode implementation to accelerate PNG expansion. He outlined key priorities, including institutionalisation of single-window approvals, integration of PNG infrastructure into urban planning, facilitation of last-mile connectivity and convergence with ongoing urban development initiatives. An ambitious target of providing 50 lakh new PNG connections was also highlighted.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, highlighted the evolving global energy landscape and stressed the importance of strengthening PNG infrastructure to enhance energy security and resilience. He encouraged States and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to actively promote PNG adoption, particularly in areas where infrastructure is already available.

Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi emphasised the need to maintain uninterrupted essential supplies, curb misinformation, and prevent black marketing of fuel. He advised States to strengthen monitoring and vigilance mechanisms and to encourage consumers to transition from LPG to PNG wherever feasible, with priority given to public institutions such as schools and colleges.

Deliberations during the roundtable highlighted several best practices, including fast-tracking of road-cutting permissions and adoption of deemed approval mechanisms to expedite project implementation. However, concerns were raised regarding high RoW charges and procedural delays. Participants stressed the need for rationalisation or temporary waiver of such charges and adoption of single-window, time-bound clearance systems.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
PNG is so much more convenient than waiting for LPG cylinder deliveries. We got it last year in our Gurgaon apartment and it's been a relief, especially for my elderly parents. But the rollout needs to be faster in older colonies. The 50 lakh new connection target is ambitious but necessary.
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Aman W
Good to see a meeting with all stakeholders. But will the high restoration charges and RoW fees actually be rationalized? These costs ultimately get passed on to consumers. Also, while promoting PNG, what about the safety audits of the existing pipeline network? That should be priority number one.
S
Sarah B
As an expat living in Delhi, the focus on cleaner energy and integrating it into urban planning is impressive. The environmental angle is crucial for India's cities battling pollution. Hope the convergence with other urban development works actually happens on site.
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Karthik V
The part about curbing black marketing is key. During shortages, we've all seen cylinders being sold at a premium. A reliable piped supply can eliminate that grey market. Starting with public institutions like schools is a smart, visible move to build confidence in the system.
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Nisha Z
All these meetings sound great, but what about the constant road digging? In Bangalore, a new pipe is laid every other month by a different utility. They talk about integration into urban planning - it should mean coordinated digging once, laying all utilities together. That's true efficiency.

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