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LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1952
TO BE ANSWERED ON 30th July, 2026
EXPANSION OF PNG INFRASTRUCTURE
1952. SHRI B K PARTHASARATHI:
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) the steps taken for expansion of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) infrastructure across the country,
including the criteria adopted for prioritisation of areas and the list of districts identified or prioritised
for PNG expansion;
(b) the number of States and Union Territories that have constituted Quick Response Teams (QRTs)
or Task Forces, State/UT-wise;
(c) whether the Government is monitoring the preparation and maintenance of databases of certified
plumbers by the States and Union Territories for PNG deployment and maintenance, if so the details
of the States and union Territories that have prepared such databases, State/UT-wise;
(d) the details of the targets fixed for establishing new PNG connections and the number of
connections achieved against such targets, State/UT-wise; and
(e) whether the Government has identified any shortage of trained manpower for the expansion,
operation and maintenance of PNG infrastructure, if so, the details thereof along with the measures
taken to address such shortages, including skilling initiatives, certification programmes, industry
partnerships and training targets?
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 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. This is being carried
out by entities authorized by Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB). After
completion of 12/12A CGD bidding round, PNGRB has authorized entities for the development of
CGD network in 309 Geographical Areas (GAs), covering the entire mainland area of the country.
As on 31.05.2026, the authorized CGD entities have provided 1,70,69,775 PNG (D) connections
across the country against the Minimum Work Programme (MWP) targets of 12,65,41,862 PNG
(D) connections to be achieved by 2034. CGD infrastructure rollout is undertaken by the
authorized entities in accordance with the authorization granted by PNGRB and the approved
project plan. The State/UT wise PNG (D) connections progress, as on 31.05.2026, is at
Annexure-I.PNGRB, in collaboration with CGD entities, launched the National PNG Drive 2.0 from 1st
January 2026 to 30th June 2026. PNGRB has informed that the initiative aims to ensure optimal
utilization of existing infrastructure, promote new connections and activate non-billed customers,
with an overall objective to increase the usage of natural gas across the diverse user categories.
Under the initiative, various measures have been implemented by the Government and
authorized CGD entities, including:
i. Expansion of PNG connectivity to households, commercial establishments and industries;
ii. Conversion of connected households into active billed consumers;
iii. Awareness campaigns and consumer outreach programmes;
iv. Coordination with State Governments and local authorities for expeditious statutory
permissions; and
v. Implementation of consumer-friendly measures, including digital registration, simplified
connection processes and promotional schemes offered by CGD entities.
The Government has notified a comprehensive control order dated 24.03.2026 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. In pursuance thereof,
19 States/UTs have appointed Nodal Officers.
As per the available information, 3 states namely Assam, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have
maintained and shared the database of ITI plumbers with CGD entities through their education
institutes. Further, the Ministry is taking proactive measures to augment the availability of
skilled manpower required for expansion, operation and maintenance of PNG infrastructure.
These include:
i. Training of plumbers through the Skill Development Council and authorized CGD
entities;
ii. Master Trainer Orientation Programme on CGD in collaboration with the Ministry of
Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the Government of Maharashtra,
under which around 100 Master Trainers have been trained with a target of training about
100 plumbers by each Master Trainer;
iii. Engagement of trained fitters/plumbers based on lists shared by MSDE; and
iv. Capacity-building and skill development programmes being conducted by individual
CGD entities for developing skilled plumbers required for PNG network expansion and
maintenance.
*****ANNEXURE-I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1952 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2026 REGARDING
EXPANSION OF PNG INFRASTRUCTURE.
Progress of Domestic PNG Connections State Wise Data - As on 31.05.2026
S. Domestic PNG Connections (Nos.)
State/UT
No. MWP Target Achievements
1 Andhra Pradesh 83,61,290 2,98,111
2 Arunachal Pradesh 19,000 -
3 Assam 20,37,888 78,455
4 Bihar 38,41,421 3,29,808
5 Chandigarh 1,75,000 34,175
6 Chhattisgarh 41,91,968 20,845
7 Dadra & Nagar Haveli 3,823 15,194
8 Daman and Diu 48,019 5,868
9 Delhi 2,37,000 19,60,727
10 Goa 17,180 20,455
11 Gujarat 47,53,332 39,08,499
12 Haryana 24,80,753 6,03,123
13 Himachal Pradesh 7,79,549 14,359
14 Jharkhand 18,31,574 1,96,415
15 Karnataka 66,25,577 6,11,203
16 Kerala 45,77,319 1,59,687
17 Madhya Pradesh 59,71,423 3,36,953
18 Maharashtra 1,17,23,476 47,42,692
19 Manipur 1,00,439 -
20 Meghalaya 3,56,000 -
21 Mizoram 2,91,562 -
22 Nagaland 3,56,589 -
23 Odisha 9,09,582 1,90,551
24 Puducherry 5,31,714 121
25 Punjab 39,42,225 1,43,031
26 Rajasthan 87,09,653 5,44,070
27 Sikkim 1,77,399 -
28 Tamil Nadu 2,14,80,940 1,40,756
29 Telangana 39,17,162 2,64,701
30 Tripura 2,39,314 71,344
31 UT of Jammu & Kashmir 14,79,532 -
32 UT of Ladakh 3,624 -
33 Uttar Pradesh 1,05,23,300 23,06,333
34 Uttarakhand 12,38,335 95,496
35 West Bengal 1,46,08,899 1,62,123
Grand Total 12,65,41,862 1,72,55,095
(source: PNGRB) (including cases covered under sub-judice, under dispute and pending cases)
*****