**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer given in Lok Sabha to Unstarred Question No. 3158, regarding the strengthening of City Gas Distribution and National Gas Grid connectivity, answered on December 18th, 2025. It outlines the progress made in expanding the National Gas Grid, current status of State and Union Territory connections, steps taken to ensure PNG supply in remote areas, and measures to accelerate geographical connectivity. The completion of the North-East Natural Gas Grid (NEGG) project has been extended to March 31, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **PNGRB's Role and NGPL Network:**
* PNGRB is responsible for authorizing entities to lay, build, operate, and expand Natural Gas Pipelines (NGPL) in India.
* As of September 2025, PNGRB has authorized approximately 34,238 km of NGPL network, with about 25,923 km operational.
* 5,201 km of natural gas pipelines have been operationalized in the last five years.
* **State and Union Territory Coverage:**
* All States and Union Territories, except Ladakh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, are covered under the Natural Gas Pipeline Network authorized by PNGRB.
* **North-East Natural Gas Grid (NEGG):**
* PNGRB has authorized Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL) to lay, build, operate, and expand the NEGG, connecting eight states.
* Extension granted for NEGG project completion up to 31.03.2026.
* **City Gas Distribution (CGD) Networks:**
* PNGRB has authorized CGD networks in 307 Geographical Areas (GAs), covering the entire mainland.
* Authorized entities are required to provide approximately 12.6 crore PNG (Domestic) connections by 2034.
* As of 30.09.2025, over 1.55 crore PNG connections and 6.2 lakh inch-km of pipelines have been laid.
* 222 out of 307 authorized GAs are connected through trunk pipelines.
* **PNG Supply Measures:**
* Priority allocation of domestic natural gas to CNG (Transport) and PNG (Domestic) sectors.
* Diversion of domestic gas from non-priority sectors to meet priority segment requirements.
* Expansion of CGD network and National Gas Grid.
* Establishment of LNG terminals and promotion of Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) under the SATAT initiative.
* Mandatory offering of gas produced from certain areas to bidders from the CNG and PNG sectors.
* **Accelerating GA Connectivity:**
* Notification enabling supply of domestic gas for PNG through available modes.
* Grant of Public Utility Status to CGD projects.
* Issuance of guidelines for PNG provision in Defence residential areas and units.
* Advisory to Public Sector Enterprises and mandatory provision of PNG in Government residential complexes.
* **Monitoring and Coordination:**
* Government and PNGRB regularly monitor CGD network implementation based on periodic reports.
* PNGRB advises entities to take corrective measures for delays or shortfalls.
* The Government coordinates with State Governments and executing agencies.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB)**
* **Impact:** Accountable for continuing oversight and authorization of NGPL and CGD networks expansion
* **Action Required:** Continue to monitor and enforce authorized entities' MWPs, and take corrective action when required.
**Stakeholder: Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for expanding NEGG.
* **Action Required:** Complete the NEGG project by the extended deadline of 31.03.2026.
**Stakeholder: CGD Authorized Entities**
* **Impact:** Responsible for expanding and maintaining CGD networks, meeting PNG connection targets, and adhering to MWPs.
* **Action Required:** Meet MWP targets for PNG connections and pipeline infrastructure, and submit periodic reports to PNGRB.
**Stakeholder: State Governments and Executing Agencies**
* **Impact:** Required to coordinate with the Central Government to address challenges and expedite implementation of the National Gas Grid.
* **Action Required:** Collaborate with the Government to address challenges and expedite National Gas Grid implementation.
**Stakeholder: Citizens/Consumers**
* **Impact:** Improved access to PNG connections.
* **Action Required:** None
Key Entities Referenced
SATAT initiative: Promotion of Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) under this initiative.
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB): The authority responsible for authorizing entities to lay, build, operate, and expand Natural Gas Pipelines (NGPL) in the country. It also monitors CGD network implementation.
National Gas Grid: A nationwide gas pipeline network being expanded to connect all states and Union Territories, facilitating the supply of natural gas.
City Gas Distribution (CGD): The network that provides piped natural gas (PNG) connections to domestic, commercial, and industrial consumers in various geographical areas.
Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL): The company authorized by PNGRB to lay, build, operate and expand the North-East Natural Gas Grid (NEGG).
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3158
TO BE ANSWERED ON 18th December, 2025
STRENGTHENING CITY GAS DISTRIBUTION AND NATIONAL GAS GRID
CONNECTIVITY
†3158. SHRI ALOK SHARMA:
SMT. SHOBHANABEN MAHENDRASINH BARAIYA:
SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:
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 progress made in the expansion of the National Gas Grid during the last five years
including the total length of operational and under-construction pipelines;
(b) the current status of connecting all the States and Union Territories to the National Gas
Pipeline Network and the plan and timelines for connecting the remaining areas;
(c) the details of steps taken to ensure reliable Piped Natural Gas (PNG) supply particularly in
remote, hilly and North-Eastern States; and
(d) the number of Geographical Areas currently connected to trunk pipelines for City Gas
Distribution operations and the measures being taken to accelerate Geographical area-wise
connectivity in areas not yet covered?
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) The 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 September, 2025, PNGRB has authorized approximately 34,238
km of NGPL network, comprising common carrier pipelines, spur lines, tie-in connectivity and
dedicated pipelines, for the development of the National Gas Gridto be completed within periods
as specified in the PNGRB authorization. Out of this, about 25,923 km has been made
operational. During the last five years, approximately 5,201 km of natural gas pipelines have
been operationalized.
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.
In order to ensure availability of natural gas in the North-Eastern region, PNGRB has authorized
M/s Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL) to lay, build, operate and expand the North-East
Natural Gas Grid (NEGG) connecting the States of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur,
Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Meghalaya and Sikkim. PNGRB has granted an extension for
completion of the NEGG project up to 31.03.2026.Provision of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections and laying of pipeline infrastructure form
part of the City Gas Distribution (CGD) network development, which is undertaken by PNGRB-
authorized entities in accordance with their respective Minimum Work Programme (MWP).
After completion of the 12th and 12A CGD bidding rounds, PNGRB has authorized CGD
networks in 307 Geographical Areas (GAs), covering the entire mainland of the country,
(including remote, hilly and North-Eastern States). As per the approved MWPs, authorized
entities are required to provide approximately 12.6 crore PNG (Domestic) connections and lay
about 5.46 lakh inch-km of pipeline infrastructure by the year 2034. As on 30.09.2025, more
than 1.55 crore PNG (Domestic) connections have been provided and over 6.2 lakh inch-km of
pipelines have been laid across the country.
Out of the total 307 GAs authorized by PNGRB, 222 GAs arepresently connected through trunk
pipelines.
The Government have taken several steps to ensure reliable supply of PNG across the country,
which, inter alia, include priority allocation of domestic natural gas to CNG (Transport) and
PNG (Domestic) sectors; diversion of domestic gas from non-priority sectors to meet
requirements of these priority segments; expansion of the CGD network and the National Gas
Grid; establishment of LNG terminals; and promotion of Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) under the
SATAT initiative. Further, gas produced from discoveries in Deepwater, Ultra Deepwater and
High Pressure–High Temperature areas has also been mandated to be offered on priority to
bidders from the CNG (Transport) and PNG (Domestic) sectors, wherever proportionate
distribution is required.
In addition, various measures have been taken to accelerate GA-wise connectivity, including in
remote, hilly and North-Eastern regions. These include notification enabling supply of domestic
gas for PNG through available modes, including cascade mode; grant of Public Utility Status to
CGD projects; issuance of guidelines for provision of PNG in Defence residential areas and
units; advisory to Public Sector Enterprises to incorporate PNG provision in their residential
complexes; and mandatory provision of PNG in Government residential complexes being
developed by CPWD and NBCC.
Government and PNGRB regularly monitor the progress of CGD network implementation based
on periodic reports submitted by authorized entities. In case of delays or shortfalls, PNGRB
advises entities to take corrective measures, including through progress review meetings and
statutory hearings under existing regulations. The Government also continuously coordinates
with concerned State Governments and executing agencies to address challenges and expedite
implementation of the National Gas Grid.
****