Parliament Question: Expansion of City Gas Distribution (CGD) network

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 4125 ANSWERED ON - 30/03/2026 EXPANSION OF CITY GAS DISTRIBUTION (CGD) NETWORK 4125 DR. K. LAXMAN: Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state: (a) the progress of City Gas Distribution (CGD) network expansion in the State of Telangana, particularly in Hyderabad and other major cities and the number of PNG (piped natural gas) connections and CNG stations operational; (b) the steps taken to ensure last-mile connectivity to households and industries in newly authorised geographical areas (GAs), especially in the State under recent bidding rounds; (c) whether Government has assessed the environmental and economic benefits of switching to natural gas in the State transport and industrial sectors; and (d) the timeline for completing the natural gas grid and pipeline infrastructure to cover all districts of the State? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI) (a) to (d) Natural gas is supplied through a network of natural gas pipelines and through City Gas Distribution (CGD) Network. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the authority responsible for authorizing entities to lay, build, operate and expand Natural Gas Pipelines (NGPL) in the country. As on December, 2025, PNGRB has authorized approximately 34,273 km of NGPL network, comprising common carrier pipelines, spur lines, tie-in connectivity and dedicated pipelines, for the development of the National Gas Grid to be completed within periods as specified in the PNGRB authorization. Out of this, about 27,427 Km has been made operational. At present, all States and Union Territories, except Ladakh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, are covered under the Natural Gas Pipeline Network authorized by PNGRB. Providing Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections and establishment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations is 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 which is being carried out by the entities authorized by Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) as per Minimum Work Program (MWP) and techno-commercial feasibility. PNGRB has authorized 9 Geographical Areas (GAs) in the state of Telangana (including one GA spread over Telangana and Karnataka) covering entire state of Telangana for development of CGD Network. As on 31.01.2026, the authorised CGD entities have provided 2,61,816 PNG(D) connections, established 237 CNG stations and laid 12,036 inch-km pipeline infrastructure in Telangana. The GA-wise details of achievements in respect of PNG (D) connections and CNG stations, including the target completion dates, as on 31.01.2026, are at Annexure.Consumption of natural gas not only enhances environmental sustainability as it is a cleaner and low- emitting fuel vis-a-vis other fossil fuels but also ensures energy security by allowing (i) the country to diversify its energy mix and thereby reduce its reliance on imported oil and coal and (ii) reduce its vulnerability to the volatility of the international market. Government have taken various steps to increase adoption and expansion of CGD network across the country which, inter-alia, includes allocating domestic gas on priority basis to CNG (T)/ PNG(D); diverting domestic gas from non-priority sectors to meet the requirement for CNG (T)/PNG(D) sector, expansion of CGD network, grant of Public Utility Status to CGD projects, notification for supply of domestic gas through available mode (including cascade mode) for CNG(T)/ PNG(D) purpose, allocating domestic natural gas for CNG (T) and PNG (D) segments on a two-quarter advance basis, expansion of National Gas Grid Pipeline, setting up of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Terminals, Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) initiatives to promote Bio-CNG, etc. Government has also notified that gas produced from discoveries in Deepwater, Ultra Deepwater and High Pressure-High Temperature areas, in any situation which may require proportionate distribution of the gas offered under the bidding process, the contractor shall offer gas to bidders belonging to CNG (T)/ PNG (D) sector on priority. Recently, a comprehensive control order dated 24.03.2026 has been issued under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to facilitate time-bound expansion of pipeline infrastructure across the country, especially CGD. The Order provides a uniform framework for grant of right of way (RoW) and permissions by mandating strict timelines, enabling deemed approvals in case of delays, and prohibiting imposition of unauthorized charges by public authorities. It also addresses access issues in residential and private areas by ensuring non-discriminatory and time-bound permissions, thereby removing key bottlenecks in pipeline laying. ******Annexure ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (d) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4125 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026 REGARDING EXPANSION OF CITY GAS DISTRIBUTION (CGD) NETWORK. GA wise details of MWP targets and achievements in respect of PNG (D) connections and CNG stations as on 31.01.2026 S. Geographical Area/ Authorized CGD Date of Date of Target PNG (D) CNG stations No. CGD Networks Entity Authorization Completion connections Achievements Achievements 1. Bhadradri Kothagudem & Megha City Gas 20-Sep-18 30-Sep-28 1999 13 Khamman Districts Distribution Private Limited 2. Jagtial, Peddapalli, Karimnagar Indian Oil Corporation 12-Sep-2018 31-Dec-29 818 9 & Rajanna Sircilla Districts Limited (New start date 01-Jan-2020) 3. Jangaon, Jayashankar Megha City Gas 24-Sep-18 30-Sep-28 4064 11 Bhupalpally, Mahabubabad, Distribution Private Warangal Urban & Warangal Limited Rural Districts 4. Medak, Siddipet & Sangareddy Torrent Gas Limited 13-Sep-18 30-Sep-28 2641 20 Districts 5. Medchal-Malkajgiri, Ranga Megha City Gas 14-Nov-18 31-Dec-28 6080 29 Reddy &Vikarabad Districts Distribution Private Limited 6. Nalgonda Suryapet &Yadadri Megha City Gas 13-Sep-18 30-Sep-28 5858 21 Bhuvanagiri Districts Distribution Private Limited 7. Nizamabad, Adilabad, Nirmal, Maharashtra Natural 15-03-2022 30-Sep-32 0 29 Mancherial Kumuram Bheem Gas Limited (New Start Asifabad and Kamareddy date districts 01.10.2024) 8. Jogulamba Gadwal, Megha City Gas 15-Mar-22 31-Mar-30 142 13 Nagarkurnool, Mahabubnagar, Distribution Private Narayanpet, Wanaparthy and Limited Yadgir districts 9. Hyderabad Bhagyanagar Gas 09-Oct-09 23-Sep-14 240214 92 Limited (Sourc: PNGRB) ****