**Executive Summary**
This document presents the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas’s response to questions regarding the expansion of City Gas Distribution (CGD) network and Piped Natural Gas (PNG) infrastructure in Sonipat. It outlines the actions taken by authorized entities like GAIL Gas Limited (GGL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) to provide PNG connections, establish CNG stations, and lay pipeline infrastructure in the region. The response also mentions tariff reductions effective January 1, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **CGD Network Expansion:**
* Providing PNG connections, establishing CNG stations, and laying pipelines are part of the CGD network development.
* Authorized entities (GGL and HPCL) carry out these activities as per the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) Minimum Work Programme (MWP).
* **Sonipat Infrastructure:**
* Sonipat consists of two Geographical Areas (GAs): Sonipat GA and Jind District GA.
* GGL is authorized for Sonipat GA and HPCL for Sonipat District & Jind District GA.
* As of 30.11.2025, GGL has provided 48,270 PNG(D) connections, established 29 CNG stations, and laid 586 inch-km pipeline.
* As of 30.11.2025, HPCL has provided 14,769 PNG(D) connections, established 47 CNG stations, and laid 1,232 inch-km pipeline.
* **Industrial Supply:**
* Authorized entities supply natural gas to industrial customers based on demand and techno-commercial viability.
* GGL has provided 321 PNG (Industrial) connections, and HPCL has provided 25 PNG (Industrial) connections.
* **Government Initiatives:**
* The government aims to increase natural gas usage nationwide, including in Sonipat.
* Initiatives include expanding the National Gas Grid Pipeline, setting up LNG Terminals, and reforming domestic gas pricing.
* **Tariff Rationalization:**
* PNGRB has reduced tariff zones from three to two.
* Transportation tariffs are Rs. 54/MMBTU for Zone-1 (up to 300 km) and Rs. 102.86/MMBTU for Zone-2 (beyond 300 km), effective January 1, 2026.
**Impact Analysis**
**GGL and HPCL**
* **Impact:** Responsible for establishing PNG connections, CNG stations, and pipeline infrastructure in designated geographical areas within Sonipat.
* **Action Required:** Continue infrastructure development as per the MWP targets to meet the demand for PNG and CNG in domestic, commercial, and industrial sectors.
**Industrial Consumers**
* **Impact:** Increased availability and affordability of natural gas due to expanded infrastructure and tariff rationalization.
* **Action Required:** Evaluate the potential for utilizing natural gas in their operations to benefit from cost savings and environmental benefits.
**PNGRB**
* **Impact:** Tasked with overseeing the development of CGD networks and regulating tariffs to ensure fair pricing and efficient supply of natural gas.
* **Action Required:** Monitor the progress of authorized entities in meeting their MWP targets and ensure compliance with regulations.
Key Entities Referenced
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB): The regulator that authorizes entities to carry out City Gas Distribution (CGD) network projects.
City Gas Distribution (CGD) Network: The infrastructure for the distribution of natural gas in cities, including pipeline infrastructure for Piped Natural Gas (PNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations.
Sonipat: The location of the Lok Sabha Constituency where expansion of CGD Network and PNG infrastructure is being discussed.
Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas: The central ministry responsible for policies related to petroleum and natural gas.
Minimum Work Programme (MWP): The committed work programme for companies authorized by PNGRB to carry out CGD projects.
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1069
TO BE ANSWERED ON 5th February, 2026
EXPANSION OF CGD NETWORK AND PNG INFRASTRUCTURE IN SONIPAT
†1069. SHRI SATPAL BRAHAMCHARI:
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 the establishment of natural gas-based industries in the
Sonipat Lok Sabha Constituency has significant potential for industrial development and
employment generation, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether it is a fact that the expansion of City Gas Distribution (CGD) network and Piped Natural
Gas (PNG) infrastructure in the area is still inadequate causing difficulties to industries, if so the
details thereof;
(c) the number of proposals received and the number of proposals approved for setting up natural gas
based industrial units in the said Constituency since 2018;
(d) whether the Government has proposed any special package or policy to promote gas based
industries, if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the future action plan of the Government in this regard for the Sonipat area?
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 (e) Providing Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections, establishment of Compressed Natural Gas
(CNG) stations and laying of pipeline infrastructure are part of the development of City Gas
Distribution (CGD) Network, which inter alia include creation of pipeline infrastructure and other
facilities for the supply of PNG to domestic, commercial and industrial units and CNG to transport
sector is being carried out by the entities authorized by Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board
(PNGRB) as per their Minimum Work Programme (MWP) and techno-commercial feasibility.
Sonipat Constituency consists of 2 Geographical Areas (GAs) Sonipat GA and Sonipat District
(EAAA) & Jind District GA. PNGRB has authorized Sonipat GA to GAIL Gas Limited (GGL). As
per the MWP,GGL had to provide 60,000 PNG (D) connections, establish 3 CNG stations and lay
329 inch-km pipeline in the GA by 2014. As on 30.11.2025, GGL has provided 48,270 PNG(D)
connections, established 29 CNG stations and laid 586 inch-km pipeline in the Sonipat GA.Sonipat District (EAAA) & Jind District GA has been authorized by PNGRB to Hindustan Petroleum
Corporation Limited (HPCL). As per the MWP,HPCL has to provide 98,000 PNG (D) connections,
establish 38 CNG stations and lay 1,183 inch-km pipeline in the GA by 2028. As on 30.11.2025,
HPCL has provided 14,769 PNG(D) connections, established 47 CNG stations and laid 1,232 inch-
km pipeline in the Sonipat GA.
The authorized CGD entities also supply natural gas to customers in industrial sector in their
respective GAs as per the demand and techno-commercial viability.The authorized entities have
informed that they have laid adequate infrastructure to connect industrial areas within their GAs.
GGL hasprovided 321 PNG (Industrial) connections and HPCL has provided 25 PNG (Industrial)
connections in their respective GAs.
Setting up of natural gas-based industrial units is a commercial decision of individual entity/
entrepreneurs and Government does not maintain data on proposals received or approved for
establishment of such industrial units.
Development of gas-based industries across the country (including in Sonipat) forms part of the
broader objective of increasing the share of natural gas in India’s energy basket. Government has
taken several measures to promote use of natural gas and create an enabling environment for
industries. These, inter-alia, include expansion of National Gas Grid Pipeline, expansion of City Gas
Distribution (CGD) network, setting up of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Terminals, reforms in
domestic gas pricing such as marketing and pricing freedom with a ceiling price to gas produced
from high pressure/high temperature areas, deep water & ultra-deep waterand from coal seamsto
enhance price stability and supply predictability, Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable
Transportation (SATAT) initiatives to promote Compressed Bio Gas (CBG).
Further, PNGRB has rationalised the Unified Tariff by reducing tariff zones from three to two and
notified transportation tariffs of Rs. 54/MMBTU for Zone-1 (up to 300 km) and Rs. 102.86/MMBTU
for Zone-2 (beyond 300 km), effective from 01.01.2026which improves affordability and
competitiveness of natural gas for industrial consumers.
****