Executive Summary:
This document responds to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2058 regarding CNG supply in Karnataka. It details the current status of CNG infrastructure development by authorized entities, specifically Unison Enviro Private Limited (UEPL) in Chitradurga and Davanagere districts, and outlines steps taken by the government to ensure CNG availability, with a reference date of May 31, 2025. The document also addresses future plans for CNG station expansion and capacity augmentation.
Key Points / Main Content:
CNG Station Development:
* The establishment of CNG stations is part of the City Gas Distribution (CGD) network development, managed by entities authorized by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB).
* Authorized entities are committed to establishing 18,336 CNG stations across the country by 2034, as per their Minimum Work Programme (MWP).
* As of May 31, 2025, over 8000 CNG stations have been established against a prorata target of 5176.
Davanagere District Specifics:
* UEPL is authorized for CGD network development in Chitradurga and Davanagere districts, required to provide 42 CNG stations by 2028.
* As of May 31, 2025, UEPL has established 23 CNG stations against a prorata target of 23 in the region.
* UEPL operates 10 CNG retail outlets in Davangere district, serving 6177 registered CNG vehicles (as of June 2025).
* CNG sales in Davangere are around 11,000 KG per day, with no reported supply shortages.
* Existing CNG pumps have a compression capacity of over 22,500 KG per day, with 50% utilization.
* UEPL is augmenting compression capacity at its mother station, adding 29,200 KG per day.
* Three new CNG retail outlets are under construction in Davanagere district.
Government Initiatives:
* The government allocates domestic gas on priority to CNG Transport and PNG Domestic sectors, diverting gas from non-priority sectors.
* Initiatives include CGD network expansion, National Gas Grid Pipeline expansion, LNG terminal setup, and Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) for BioCNG promotion.
* Gas from deep water, ultra-deep water, and high-pressure/high-temperature areas is prioritized for CNGTPNGD sectors.
* PNGRB monitors CGD network progress and advises entities on corrective actions for delays or shortfalls through meetings and hearings.
Impact Analysis:
Authorized CGD Entities (e.g., UEPL):
* Impact: Responsible for adhering to MWP targets for CNG station establishment and ensuring adequate CNG supply in authorized Geographical Areas (GAs).
* Action Required: Continue CNG infrastructure development as per the MWP, address any supply concerns, and attend PNGRB progress review meetings.
CNG Vehicle Owners/Autorickshaw Drivers:
* Impact: Dependent on the availability and accessibility of CNG.
* Action Required: Utilize available CNG infrastructure and report any supply shortages to UEPL or relevant authorities.
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB):
* Impact: Oversees and regulates the development of CGD networks and CNG infrastructure.
* Action Required: Continue monitoring CGD entity progress, addressing delays or shortfalls through regulatory mechanisms, and ensuring compliance with MWP targets.
Oil Marketing Companies:
* Impact: Potential partners in expanding CNG infrastructure at existing retail outlets.
* Action Required: Engage in discussions with CGD entities like UEPL to explore opportunities for setting up CNG infrastructure at their retail outlets.
Key Entities Referenced
Compressed Natural Gas CNG: A fuel used in vehicles, the supply of which is the subject of the question.
Davanagere district, Karnataka: A district in Karnataka experiencing a potential shortage of CNG supply.
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board PNGRB: The regulatory body authorizing City Gas Distribution (CGD) entities.
City Gas Distribution CGD: The network for distributing natural gas to various consumers.
Minimum Work Programme MWP: The plan according to which CGD entities establish CNG stations.
Unison Enviro Private Limited UEPL: The authorized entity for City Gas Distribution network development in Chitradurga and Davanagere districts.
Chitradurga, Karnataka: A district in Karnataka along with Davanagere district, for which UEPL is authorized for CGD network development.
Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation SATAT: An initiative to promote BioCNG.
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2058
TO BE ANSWERED ON 31st July, 2025
SHORTAGE OF CNG SUPPLY IN KARNATAKA
2058. Dr. Prabha Mallikarjun:
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 there is a shortage of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) supply in Davanagere
district of Karnataka forcing auto-rickshaw drivers to wait in long queues in front of CNG
pumps and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has taken any steps to resolve this issue and if so, the details
thereof;
(c) whether there has been a shortage of CNG pumps in comparison with the increased
number of CNG-operated vehicles across the country and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether there would be any increase in the number of CNG pumps in Davanagere district
of Karnataka and 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 (d) Establishment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations is part of the development of
City Gas Distribution (CGD) Network and the same is carried out by the CGD entities
authorized by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) as per their Minimum
Work Programme (MWP). As per the MWP, the authorized entities are committed to establish
18,336 CNG stations across the country by 2034.As on 31.05.2025, the entities have established
more than 8000 CNG Stations against the pro-rata target of establishing 5176 CNG Stations.PNGRB has authorized Unison Enviro Private Limited (UEPL) for the development of City Gas
Distribution network in Chitradurga & Davanagere districts Geographical Area (GA). The
authorized entity is required to provide 42 CNG stations in the GA by 2028. As on 31.5.2025, the
authorized entity has established 23 CNG Stations in the GA against the pro-rata target of 23
CNG stations.
UEPL operates 10 CNG retail outlets (ROs) in Davangere district to meet the CNG(T) demand.
As of June 2025, total 6177CNG vehicles are registered in Davanagere (source:Vahan portal).
UEPL has informed that as on date CNG sales in Davangere district is around 11,000 KG per
day and no CNG supply shortages have been reported in the district. Further the CNG pumps are
adequate in comparison with CNG vehicles in Davangere district as UEPL has compression
capacity of more than 22,500 KG per day out of which 50% is being utilised to support the
growing demand in Davangere district. UEPL has informed that it is undertaking augmentation
of compression capacity at mother Station, which will add the capacity of 29,200 KG per day.
Additionally, the CGD entity has informed that 3 new CNG ROs are under construction in
Davanagere district. Concurrently, the entity is engaged in discussions with Oil Marketing
Companies to explore the possibility of setting up CNG infrastructure at their retail outlets.
The Government has taken various steps to ensure the availability of natural gas to CNG
(Transport) and PNG (Domestic) sector, which 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, expansion of National Gas Grid
Pipeline, setting up of Liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, Sustainable Alternative Towards
Affordable Transportation (SATAT) initiatives to promote Bio-CNG, etc. Government has also
notified that gas produced from discoveries in deep water, ultra-deep water and high-pressure
high temperature areas is prioritized for supply to the CNG(T)/PNG(D) sectors.
Further, the Government monitors 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.
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