Centre asks states, union territories to expand piped gas network

India’s piped gas netword. Photo credit: IANS

NEW DELHI: Trying to accelerate the adoption of piped gas for cooking and industrial purposes, the Centre has asked states and Union Territories to provide district-level administrative support and appoint nodal officers to coordinate with gas distributors and oil marketing companies to expand the network.Govt has also directed authorised city gas distribution companies and public sector oil marketing companies to establish PNG coordination committees to identify eligible housing societies and households and conduct outreach camps to accelerate piped gas connections.In a letter to state chief secretaries, petroleum secretary Neeraj Mittal said PNG was crucial for India’s energy transition and could help reduce dependence on cooking gas cylinders.“PNG brings a safer, cleaner and more efficient cooking fuel, playing a critical role in advancing the country’s energy transition objectives. Its accelerated adoption contributes to reducing the logistics burden associated with LPG distribution, enhancing consumer convenience, and improving utilisation of CGD infrastructure created through substantial public and private investment,” Mittal said in the letter.While the potential for PNG is huge, its adoption so far has not matched the govt’s expectations. During the West Asia conflict, when energy supplies were disrupted and an LPG shortage loomed large, govt made concerted efforts to push PNG adoption by seeking the help of states and UTs and easing the regulatory framework for faster laying of pipeline networks. Govt is also trying to prevent households from retaining both LPG and PNG connections in areas where piped gas is available.

Officials said administrative support at the district level was vital for securing right of way or right of use in housing societies, supporting consumer outreach and verification, and resolving consumer grievances.Mittal has also asked chief secretaries to direct their respective food and civil supplies departments to nominate one nodal officer at the district level to be associated with the local PCC.