New Delhi: The Centre set a target of 50 lakh new connections under its PNG expansion plan to improve urban energy access and service delivery, officials said.
The decision emerged from a roundtable meeting held at Vigyan Bhavan with Union ministers, state representatives, and industry stakeholders. Authorities said the PNG expansion aims to meet rising urban energy demand while ensuring uninterrupted essential services.
Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal called for mission-mode implementation of PNG expansion. He stressed the need for single-window approvals, better urban planning integration, and improved last-mile connectivity.
Officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas highlighted the benefits of PNG over LPG. They said PNG offers better safety, reliability, affordability, and environmental performance.
However, stakeholders flagged delays in municipal permissions and Right of Way approvals as key hurdles. High restoration charges also continue to slow network rollout.
PNG expansion faces approval delays and infrastructure challenges
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri stressed the importance of PNG expansion for energy security and resilience. He urged states and urban local bodies to promote adoption, especially where infrastructure already exists.
In addition, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi highlighted the need to maintain essential supplies and prevent black marketing. He advised states to strengthen monitoring and encourage a gradual shift from LPG to PNG.
Participants at the meeting suggested fast-tracking road-cutting permissions and adopting deemed approval systems. They also recommended rationalising Right of Way charges to speed up implementation.
States agreed to streamline approvals and appoint nodal officers for coordination. Officials said city gas distribution entities and municipal bodies will work closely to resolve operational issues.
Authorities added that a structured action plan with timelines and monitoring mechanisms will guide PNG expansion across cities.
