Parliament Question: Expansion of PNG Network in Baghpat

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1880 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30th July, 2026 EXPANSION OF PNG NETWORK IN BAGHPAT †1880. DR. RAJKUMAR SANGWAN: 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 has made significant progress in enhancing the availability of clean and affordable fuel in Uttar Pradesh through the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga Project and the City Gas Distribution (CGD) network, if so, the details thereof and the current status of the expansion of the Piped Natural Gas (PNG) network in the Baghpat Lok Sabha Constituency; (b) the details of the length of the PNG pipeline laid so far in the Baghpat Lok Sabha Constituency, the number of domestic, commercial and industrial connections provided and the works under construction, city-wise/area-wise; (c) whether the Government plans to rapidly expand the PNG network to the remaining cities, towns and eligible rural areas of the Baghpat Lok Sabha Constituency to extend its benefits to the maximum number of households, commercial establishments and industries; and (d) if so, the details of the action plan, likely timeline, investment, financial provisions and targets set for the upcoming years under the project? 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): Natural gas is supplied through a network of natural gas pipelines and through City Gas Distribution (CGD) Network. Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the authority to grant authorization to the entities to lay, build, operate or expand Gas Pipeline as per PNGRB Act, 2006. PNGRB has authorized Jagdishpur-Haldia-Bokaro-Dhamra Natural Gas Pipeline (JHBDPL) with extension of Barauni-Guwahati (BGPL) and spur line to Dhamra-Haldia (DHPL) as part of Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga to GAIL (India) Limited. The pipeline traverses through the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam, enhancing the availability of clean and affordable fuel across the region. Of the total, 335 km (Approx.) of pipeline network in Uttar Pradesh, the entire length has been commissioned and is operational. The pipeline provides connectivity to 8 Geographical Areas (GAs) within the state.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 is being carried out by the entities authorized by Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB). In the state of Uttar Pradesh, PNGRB has authorized 43 GAs for development of CGD network. As on 31.05.2026, the authorized entities have provided 23,06,333 PNG (D) connections, established 1,375 CNG stations and laid 51,862 Inch-Km pipeline across the state. Baghpat Lok Sabha constituency is part of Bagpat District GA authorised to Think Gas Bagpat Private Limited. CGD infrastructure rollout and investment is undertaken by the authorized entities in accordance with the authorization granted by PNGRB and the approved project plan. As per Minimum Work Programme (MWP) targets, authorized entity has to provide approximately 10,496 PNG (D) connections and 650 Inch-Km pipeline by 2025 in the GA. As on 31.05.2026, the authorised CGD entity has provided 5,448 PNG (D) connections, 16 PNG commercial connections and 58 PNG industrial connections, 15 CNG stations and 832 Inch-Km pipeline infrastructure in the GA. 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. *****