**Executive Summary**
The Roundtable Review Meeting held on March 28, 2026, focused on accelerating the expansion of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) across urban India, setting an ambitious target of 50 lakh new connections. Key stakeholders addressed critical infrastructure hurdles, including Right of Way (RoW) approvals and high restoration charges, to enhance energy security and sustainability. The session concluded with a commitment to mission-mode implementation through streamlined approvals, single-window systems, and the designation of nodal officers to ensure accountability.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Strategic Objectives and Expansion Targets**
* Established a target to provide 50 lakh new PNG connections across urban areas.
* Emphasized the transition to PNG due to its advantages over LPG in safety, reliability, affordability, and environmental sustainability.
* Highlighted the importance of strengthening PNG infrastructure to bolster national energy security and resilience.
**Administrative and Regulatory Reforms**
* Called for the institutionalization of single-window, time-bound clearance systems for municipal permissions.
* Urged the rationalization or temporary waiver of high Right of Way (RoW) charges and restoration fees that currently impede network expansion.
* Advocated for the adoption of "deemed approval" mechanisms to expedite project implementation.
* Required the integration of PNG infrastructure into formal urban planning and ongoing development initiatives.
**Operational Coordination and Monitoring**
* Mandated the designation of nodal officers within States and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to facilitate inter-departmental coordination.
* Proposed the creation of local task teams and city-specific action plans with defined timelines.
* Established regular monitoring and review mechanisms to ensure accountability and resolve pending approvals.
**Consumer Protection and Public Transition**
* Prioritized the transition from LPG to PNG for public institutions, specifically schools and colleges.
* Stressed the need for enhanced vigilance to curb misinformation and prevent the black marketing of fuel.
* Focused on ensuring last-mile connectivity and maintaining uninterrupted delivery of essential services.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)**
**Impact:** These bodies are central to the administrative rollout and are currently identified as sources of procedural delays and high costs.
**Action Required:** Streamline approval processes, designate nodal officers for coordination, and implement the rationalization of RoW charges.
**City Gas Distribution (CGD) Entities**
**Impact:** CGD units (such as GAIL and Indian Oil) are the primary implementers facing operational bottlenecks and high restoration costs.
**Action Required:** Collaborate closely with Municipal Commissioners through local task teams to resolve city-specific issues and meet connection targets.
**Public Institutions (Schools and Colleges)**
**Impact:** These institutions are designated as high-priority zones for energy transition.
**Action Required:** Transition from LPG to PNG fuel systems wherever local infrastructure is available.
**Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs and Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas**
**Impact:** These ministries act as the primary oversight bodies driving the mission-mode expansion.
**Action Required:** Provide the framework for single-window approvals and oversee the convergence of PNG expansion with urban development initiatives.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA): The lead ministry coordinating the integration of PNG infrastructure into urban planning and the institutionalization of single-window approvals.
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG): The ministry responsible for the national PNG rollout strategy and establishing the mission-mode target for network expansion.
Target of 50 lakh new PNG connections: The primary ambitious initiative and objective set during the roundtable to accelerate clean energy access across urban India.
City Gas Distribution (CGD) units: Entities responsible for the ground-level implementation of gas networks and resolving city-specific operational bottlenecks.
Urban Local Bodies (ULBs): Local authorities responsible for streamlining road-cutting permissions, rationalizing Right of Way (RoW) charges, and promoting PNG adoption.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Roundtable on Expansion of PNG Services and
Maintaining Essential Services in Urban areas
An ambitious target of providing 50 lakh new PNG
connections was also highlighted during the Rountable
Posted On: 28 MAR 2026 4:59PM by PIB Delhi
A Roundtable Review Meeting on “Expansion of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) Services and Maintaining
Essential Services” in urban areas was held today at Vigyan Bhavan, bringing together key stakeholders
to deliberate on accelerating PNG network expansion across urban India and ensuring uninterrupted
delivery of essential services.
The meeting was graced by Hon’ble Union Ministers from the Ministries of Housing and Urban Affairs
(MoHUA), Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), and Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution
(MoCAFPD), along with Secretaries, senior officials from the Government of India, Hon’ble State
Ministers, State Secretaries from Urban Development and Food & Civil Supplies Departments, Municipal
Commissioners, CMDs of GAIL, Indian Oil and representatives of City Gas Distribution (CGD) units.Hon’ble Ministers from several States, including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra, Haryana and Odisha
participated in person, while representatives from Telangana, Karnataka and Rajasthan joined virtually in
the roundtable session.
Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, highlighted the growing urban energy demand and
underscored the need for efficient service delivery alongside expansion of clean energy access.
A detailed presentation by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas outlined the current status of PNG
rollout, emphasising its advantages over LPG in terms of safety, reliability, affordability and
environmental sustainability. Key challenges identified included delays in municipal permissions, Right of
Way (RoW) approvals and high restoration charges, which continue to impede timely network expansion.
The Hon’ble Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Manohar Lal underscored the critical role of
cities as engines of economic growth and called for mission-mode implementation to accelerate PNG
expansion. He outlined key priorities, including institutionalisation of single-window approvals,
integration of PNG infrastructure into urban planning, facilitation of last-mile connectivity and
convergence with ongoing urban development initiatives.An ambitious target of providing 50 lakh new
PNG connections was also highlighted.Addressing the gathering, the Hon’ble Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Hardeep Singh Puri
highlighted the evolving global energy landscape and stressed the importance of strengthening PNG
infrastructure to enhance energy security and resilience. He encouraged States and Urban Local Bodies
(ULBs) to actively promote PNG adoption, particularly in areas where infrastructure is already available.
The Hon’ble Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Shri Pralhad Joshi emphasised
the need to maintain uninterrupted essential supplies, curb misinformation, and prevent black marketing of
fuel. He advised States to strengthen monitoring and vigilance mechanisms and to encourage consumers to
transition from LPG to PNG wherever feasible, with priority given to public institutions such as schools
and colleges.
Deliberations during the roundtable highlighted several best practices, including fast-tracking of road-
cutting permissions and adoption of deemed approval mechanisms to expedite project implementation.
However, concerns were raised regarding high RoW charges and procedural delays. Participants stressed
the need for rationalisation or temporary waiver of such charges and adoption of single-window, time-
bound clearance systems.
State representatives shared their experiences and emphasised the importance of enhanced coordination
among Urban Development Departments, Municipal bodies, and Food & Civil Supplies Departments for
seamless implementation. There was broad consensus on facilitating a phased and structured transition
from LPG to PNG in areas with existing infrastructure, supported by adequate consumer awareness and
safeguards to prevent disruption of essential services.
States and ULBs agreed to streamline approval processes, rationalise RoW charges, and designate nodal
officers for effective coordination. CGD entities and Municipal Commissioners committed to closer
collaboration to resolve operational challenges and enhance service delivery.
Post roundtable meeting, a break-out session between CGD entities and Municipal Commissioners
organised which focused on city-specific issues, identifying key bottlenecks and pending approvals. It was
agreed to adopt a structured action plan with defined timelines, establish local task teams and implement
regular monitoring and review mechanisms to ensure accountability and timely progress in PNG network
expansion.
*****
SK
(Release ID: 2246452) Visitor Counter : 770
Read this release in: Gujarati , Urdu , Marathi , ही , Telugu