Regulator asks city gas distributors to make available piped gas to residential schools, colleges, hostels within five days

Spurring the government’s objective of accelerating the transition from liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to piped natural gas (PNG), the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), in an order dated March 23, asked city gas distributors (CGD) to make “all out efforts” to provision piped gas to residential schools and colleges, hostels, community kitchens and anganwadi kitchens, etc, within five days, subject to infrastructural feasibility.

Additionally, the regulator has sought a compliance report on connectivity after five days, and thereafter, the same on a daily basis.

Underlining the rationale, the order held, “It needs to be ensured that these facilities also receive piped gas supply. It goes without saying that a sizeable population, primarily students and young professionals staying away from their family are dependent upon kitchen, messes, etc for their food.”

The PNGRB’s latest directive is in consonance with the government’s objective seeking an expedited transition to piped natural gas (PNG), as it seeks to ease some pressure off LPG amid the tensions in West Asia. India imports 60% of its LPG requirements, of which 90% is routed through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Hindu learnt from senior officials that over the next two weeks India holds the potential to further add 15 lakh new PNG connections.

An official said that instituting last-mile connectivity amidst unfavourable city infrastructure in certain areas was among the major hurdles in expanding the piped gas network. “[Amid the government’s push], the obstacles are being expeditiously addressed,” the official stated.

The Central government in the recent past sought to increase allocation of commercial LPG to States, which is inclusive of a 10% quantum subject to States and Union Territories helping spur the transition and uptake.

According to government data, more than 7,500 domestic and commercial PNG connections had been issued or activated on Monday in the country’s top 110 geographical areas.

Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) said that more than 3.5 lakh domestic and commercial PNG connections have been issued or activated in the first three weeks of March. The number is inclusive of 1.90 lakh consumers transiting from LPG to PNG.