**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer to Unstarred Question No. 745 in the Lok Sabha, concerning CNG distribution in India, scheduled to be answered on December 4th, 2025. The response details the government's plans and progress in establishing CNG stations, the efforts to reduce queuing, and addresses the specific issue of pipeline installation in Kudremukh, Karnataka. The document highlights the role of PNGRB and CGD entities in expanding the CNG network.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **CNG Station Establishment:**
* CGD entities, authorized by PNGRB, are responsible for establishing CNG stations as per their Minimum Work Programme (MWP).
* PNGRB has authorized entities for CGD network development in 307 Geographical Areas (GAs) after the completion of the 12/12A CGD bidding round.
* The authorized entities are committed to establishing 18,336 CNG stations across the country by 2034.
* As of 30.09.2025, 8,357 CNG stations have been established against a pro-rata target of 5,826.
* New CNG stations are added through various models (COCO, DODO) based on techno-commercial feasibility.
* **Queuing Mitigation:**
* CGD entities are taking measures to enhance CNG station efficiency by installing adequate dispenser units and improving gas supply coordination.
* PNGRB has advised CGD entities to upgrade Daughter Booster Stations (DBS) to Online stations to reduce queuing.
* **Monitoring and Corrective Action:**
* The government monitors CGD network progress based on entity reports.
* PNGRB advises entities to take corrective actions for delays or shortfalls, including progress review meetings.
* **Pipeline Network Expansion:**
* PNGRB has authorized approximately 34,233 km of Natural Gas Pipeline Network for a "One Nation One Gas Grid".
* 25,429 km of the pipeline is operational as of June 2025, and 10,459 km is under construction.
* CGD entities have laid 6,20,428 Inch-Km pipeline within their respective GAs.
* **Kudremukh Pipeline Installation:**
* Kudremukh is part of the Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, and Kodagu Districts GA, authorized to AGP City Gas Private Limited (AGP).
* Natural gas is supplied to the GA through the operational Dabhol-Bangalore Natural Gas Pipeline.
* AGP is responsible for developing the local distribution pipeline network within the GA.
* As per MWP, AGP is to establish 121 CNG stations and lay 1,187 inch-km pipeline by 2029.
* As of 30.09.2025, AGP has established 22 CNG stations and laid 972 inch-km pipeline against a pro-rata target of 59 stations and 742 inch-km pipeline.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Poor rickshaw drivers and light vehicle owners**
* **Impact:** They are affected by long queues at CNG stations.
* **Action Required:** Benefit from the enhanced CNG station efficiency, increased number of CNG stations, and upgraded infrastructure.
**Stakeholder: CGD Entities**
* **Impact:** Responsible for expanding the CNG network as per PNGRB guidelines.
* **Action Required:** Establish CNG stations, upgrade infrastructure, coordinate gas supplies, and submit progress reports to PNGRB.
**Stakeholder: PNGRB**
* **Impact:** Regulatory body overseeing CNG distribution.
* **Action Required:** Authorize entities, monitor progress, advise corrective actions, and ensure compliance with regulations.
**Stakeholder: AGP City Gas Private Limited (AGP)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for developing the CNG network in Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, and Kodagu Districts GA.
* **Action Required:** Establish CNG stations and lay pipeline as per MWP targets, and ensure natural gas supply to the GA.
Key Entities Referenced
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB): Regulates the development of City Gas Distribution (CGD) networks.
City Gas Distribution (CGD) Network: Network for the distribution of compressed natural gas (CNG) in cities.
Minimum Work Programme (MWP): A plan that CNG entities follow under PNGRB regulation.
Karnataka: State where Kudremukh, a location of pipeline installation, is situated.
AGP City Gas Private Limited (AGP): An authorized CGD entity for development of CNG network.
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 745
TO BE ANSWERED ON 4th December, 2025
CNG DISTRIBUTION
745. SHRI KOTA SRINIVASA POOJARY:
पेट(cid:332)ोिलयम और (cid:366)ाकृ ितक गैस मं(cid:361)ी
Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that poor rickshaw drivers and light vehicle owners
whouse CNG are queuing up in kilometer-long queues in front of petrol pumps, if so, the
details thereof;
(b) the reasons for the delay in providing a new agency even though distributors are waiting
for additional CNG distribution;
(c) the plan of the Union Government to provide full distribution to the minimum number of
CNG distributors; and
(d) the reasons for the delay in installing the LNG pipeline through Kudremukh in Karnataka?
ANSWER
पेट(cid:332)ोिलयम और (cid:366)ाकृ ितक गैस मं(cid:361)ालय म(cid:336) रा(cid:475)मं(cid:361)ी
((cid:373)ी सुरेश गोपी)
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
(SHRI SURESH GOPI)
(a) to (d) Establishment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations is part of the development of
City Gas Distribution (CGD) Network and the same is carried out by the CGD entities
authorized by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) as per their Minimum
Work Programme (MWP). After the completion of the 12/12A CGD bidding round, PNGRB has
authorized entities for development of CGD network in 307 Geographical Areas (GAs), covering
the entire mainland area for the development of CGD network across the country.
As per the MWP, the authorized entities are committed to establish 18,336 CNG stations across
the country by 2034. As on 30.09.2025, the entities have established 8,357 CNG Stations against
the pro-rata target of establishing 5,826 CNG Stations. CGD entities are continuously adding
new CNG stations, including through company-owned company-operated (COCO), dealer-
owned dealer-operated (DODO) etc., based on their MWP and on the basis of techno-
commercial feasibility, demand and availability of natural gas. A large number of CNG outlets
have been set up at existing Retail Outlets of OMCs.
Further, as informed by CGD entities, occasional queues are observed in the Retail Outlets
during peak hours due to sudden demand surges or operational constraints; however, CGD
entities arecontinuously taking measures to enhance CNG station efficiency by installing
adequate dispenser units and ensuring better coordination of gas supplies to reduce customer
wait times. Further, PNGRB has advised the CGD entities to upgrade their Daughter BoosterStation (DBS) CNG stations to Online stations. The Online CNG station helps in faster filling of
vehicles and thereby resulting in reduction of queuing.
Governmentalso monitors the progress of CGD networks based on reports submitted by the
entities. If there are any delays or shortfalls, the PNGRB advises the entity to take corrective
action. This includes calling them for progress review meetings or statutory hearings under
existing regulations to discuss challenges and the latest updates on their MWP targets in
authorized GAs.
With the aim to increase the availability of natural gas across the Country, PNGRB has
authorized approximately 34,233 km length of Natural Gas Pipeline Network across the Country
to create a national gas gridand to implement “One Nation One Gas Grid”. The length of
operational pipeline is 25,429 Kms in June, 2025. 10,459 Kms length of pipelines is under
various stages of construction. In addition to this, CGD entities have laid 6,20,428 Inch-Km
pipeline to cover their local network within their respective GAs.
Kudremukh falls in Chikkamagaluru district which is a part of Chikkamagaluru, Hassan and
Kodagu Districts GA. The GA has been authorized to AGP City Gas Private Limited (AGP) for
development of CNG network. Supply of natural gas to the said GA is being done through
Dabhol-Bangalore Natural Gas Pipeline which is operational. Development of local distribution
pipeline network inside the GA limits for the transmission of natural gas is being done by the
authorized CGD entity. As per MWP, AGP has to establish 121 CNG stations and lay 1,187 inch-
km pipeline in the GA by 2029. As on 30.09.2025, against the pro-rata target of establishing 59
CNG stations and laying 742 inch-km pipeline, AGP has established 22 CNG stations and laid
972 inch-km pipeline in the aforesaid GA.
****