Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas addresses Lok Sabha question No. 1984 regarding the establishment of a Piped Natural Gas (PNG) network across Tamil Nadu under the City Gas Distribution (CGD) project. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) authorizes entities to develop CGD networks, targeting 2,30,94,884 domestic PNG connections and 37,374 inchKm of pipeline by 2032. The government and PNGRB monitor progress, ensuring timely implementation and safety compliance.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **CGD Network Development:**
* PNG connections are part of City Gas Distribution (CGD) networks.
* Development is carried out by entities authorized by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB).
* Development adheres to the Minimum Work Programme (MWP).
* **PNGRB Authorizations:**
* PNGRB has authorized 18 Geographical Areas (GAs) in Tamil Nadu, including areas spanning Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
* MWP target by 2032: 2,30,94,884 domestic PNG connections and 37,374 inchKm of pipeline.
* As of 31.05.2025: 98,878 PNG connections provided, and 17,189 inchKm pipelines laid.
* GA-wise details of PNG connections are provided in an annexure.
* **Monitoring and Corrective Action:**
* The Government and PNGRB monitor the progress of CGD networks based on reports submitted by the authorized entities.
* PNGRB advises entities to take corrective action for delays or shortfalls.
* Corrective actions include progress review meetings and statutory hearings.
* **Safety and Compliance:**
* Entities conduct periodic health assessments of pipelines.
* Assessments adhere to Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Technical Standards and Specifications, including Safety Standards for City or Local Natural Gas Distribution Network Regulations, 2009 (T4S regulations) and PNGRB Integrity Management System for City or Local Natural Gas Distribution Network Regulations, 2013 (IMS regulations).
* Monitoring, Survey, Inspection, Assessments and Maintenance of pipelines are being carried in line with T4S Regulations, IMS regulations and Oil Industry Safety Directorate Standards
* Entities undertake awareness programs to propagate PNG benefits and safety protocols.
Impact Analysis:
* **Authorized Entities:**
* Impact: Required to develop CGD networks as per PNGRB’s MWP, provide PNG connections, and lay pipeline infrastructure. Subject to monitoring and corrective actions by PNGRB.
* Action Required: Submit progress reports, attend review meetings, implement corrective actions as advised by PNGRB, and adhere to safety and compliance regulations.
* **Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB):**
* Impact: Responsible for authorizing entities, setting MWP targets, monitoring progress, and ensuring safety compliance in CGD network development.
* Action Required: Monitor progress reports, advise entities on corrective actions, conduct progress review meetings, and enforce safety regulations.
* **Consumers (Domestic, Commercial, and Industrial):**
* Impact: Potential beneficiaries of PNG connections, leading to access to a cleaner and more convenient fuel source.
* Action Required: Participate in awareness programs, understand safety protocols, and apply for PNG connections as services become available in their areas.
Key Entities Referenced
Piped Natural Gas: PNG, a type of natural gas, is the subject of the network development discussed in the policy.
Tamil Nadu: A state in southern India, where the PNG network expansion is planned and monitored.
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board: PNGRB, the regulatory body authorizing entities for City Gas Distribution network development.
City Gas Distribution: CGD, the project under which PNG network is being laid out across Tamil Nadu.
Suresh Gopi: Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question regarding PNG network in Tamil Nadu was raised.
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Technical Standards and Specifications including Safety Standards for City or Local Natural Gas Distribution Network Regulations, 2009: T4S regulations, standards for safety in city gas distribution networks.
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Integrity Management System for City or Local Natural Gas Distribution Network Regulations, 2013: IMS regulations, standards for integrity management in city gas distribution networks.
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1984
TO BE ANSWERED ON 31st July, 2025
PNG NETWORK IN TAMIL NADU
1984. SHRI C N ANNADURAI:
SHRI SELVAM G:
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 Union Government proposes to lay a Piped Natural Gas (PNG) network
across the State of Tamil Nadu under the City Gas Distribution (CGD) project or any
other initiative and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the names of the cities/towns in Tamil Nadu where PNG service is currently operational;
(c) whether any specific measures are being taken to expedite the implementation of PNG in
uncovered districts of Tamil Nadu particularly in rural and semi-urban areas and if so,
the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has put any monitoring mechanism in place to ensure timely
implementation and safety compliance during PNG network development in Tamil
Nadu; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
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 & NATURAL GAS
(SHRI SURESH GOPI)
(a) to (e) Providing Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections and laying of pipeline
infrastructure is part of development of City Gas Distribution (CGD) Networks and the same
is carried out by the entities authorized by Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board
(PNGRB) as per their Minimum Work Programme (MWP).
PNGRB has authorized 18 Geographical Areas (GAs) including (1 GA spread over
Puducherry (UT) & Tamil Nadu and 1 GA spread over Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and
Karnataka), in the state of Tamil Nadu with Minimum Work Programme (MWP) target of
2,30,94,884 domestic PNG (D) connections and 37,374inch-Km pipelinesto be provided by
2032. As on 31.05.2025, the authorised entities have provided 98,878 PNG(D) connectionsand laid 17,189 inch-Km pipelines. The GAs wise details of domestic Piped Natural Gas
(PNG) connections as on 31.05.2025 in the state of Tamil Nadu are at Annexure.
The Government and PNGRB monitor 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.
To ensure safe operations, the authorized entities carry out periodic health assessment
of pipelines as per Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (Technical Standards and
Specifications including Safety Standards for City or Local Natural Gas Distribution
Network) Regulations, 2009 (T4S regulations) and PNGRB (Integrity Management System
for City or Local Natural Gas Distribution Network) Regulations, 2013 (IMS regulations) and
their fitness for purpose is assessed on prescribed frequency. Monitoring, Survey, Inspection,
Assessments and Maintenance of pipelines are being carried in line with T4S Regulations,
IMS regulations and Oil Industry Safety Directorate Standards. Additionally, the authorized
entities undertake various awareness/educational programme to propagate the benefits of
PNG and the safety protocols among people.
****Annexure
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTIONNO. 1984 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31ST
JULY2025 REGARDINGPNG NETWORK IN TAMIL NADU.
Details of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) Connections and Pipeline Infrastructure in the sate of Tamil Nadu - as on 31.5.2025
S.No Geographical Area/ State/Union Authorized CGD Entity Date of Domestic Pipeline Infrastructure-Inch
CGD Networks Territory Authorization KM
MWP Target Achievement Pipeline Total
MWP
Target
1. The Nilgiris and Erode districts Bharat Petroleum 15-Mar-22 884777 18882 1316 738
Corporation Limited
2. Dindigul and Karur districts Megha City Gas 15-03-2022 1008000 0 3510 67
Distribution Private (New Start date
Limited 01.01.2023)
3. Kanyakumari, Thoothukudi, Indian Oil Corporation 23-03-2022 2939842 2201 2001 729
TiruneveliKattabo and Tenkasi Limited (New Start date
districts 01.01.2023)
4. Madurai, Theni and Indian Oil Corporation 23-03-2022 2846696 2178 2001 738
Virudhnagar districts Limited (New Start date
01.01.2023)
5. Pudukottai, Sivaganga and Megha City Gas 23-03-2022 1400004 0 6498 187
Thanjavur districts Distribution Private (New Start date
Tamil Nadu Limited 01.07.2023)
6. Namakkal and Tiruchirapalli IRM Energy Private 15-03-2022 1774000 624 1450 456
districts Limited (New Start date
01.04.2024)
7. Ariyalur and Perambalur Megha City Gas 15-03-2022 419400 0 1530 117
districts Distribution Private (New Start date
Limited 01.04.2023)
8. Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram Megha City Gas 09-03-2022 1323000 0 2520 47
and Kallakkurichi districts Distribution Private (New Start date
Limited 01.04.2023)
9. Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri Indian Oil Corporation 23-03-2022 1619227 1753 1201 555
districts Limited (New Start date
01.01.2023)
10. Tiruppur District Adani Total Gas Limited 13-09-2018 375005 851 829 590
(New start date
01.04.2022)
11. Salem District Indian Oil Corporation 12-09-2018 337062 4593 1368 701
Limited (New start date
01.04.2022)12. Ramanathapuram District AGP CGD India Private 26-Sep-18 41311 4846 251 455
Limited
13. Cuddalore, Adani Total Gas Limited 13-09-2018 300089 0 839 136
Nagapattinam&Tiruvarur (New start date
Districts 01.04.2022)
14. Coimbatore District Indian Oil Corporation 12-09-2018 912783 38362 2500 3063
Tamil Nadu Limited (New start date
01.04.2022)
15. Chennai &Tiruvallur Districts Torrent Gas Chennai 07-09-2018 3300000 2958 6666 2433
Private Limited (New start date
01.04.2020)
16. Kanchipuram District AGP CGD India Private 26-09-2018 1151111 5218 668 2011
Limited (New start date
01.04.2022)
17. Karaikal&Nagapattinam Puducherry& Torrent Gas Limited 28-Sep-18 166644 532 495 329
Districts Tamil Nadu
18. Chittoor, Kolar and Vellore Andhra Pradesh, AGP City Gas Private 24-04-2019 2295933 15880 1731 3836
Districts Karnataka & Limited (New start date
Tamil Nadu 01.04.2022)
Total CGD Networks authorized by PNGRB 2,30,94,884 98,878 37,374 17,189