Shri Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) along with Shri Neeraj Mittal, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), chaired a joint review meeting from New Delhi on 2nd April 2026 through video conferencing with State Urban Development Secretaries, State Civil Supplies Departments, District Magistrates and Municipal Commissioners/Executive Officers of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), except  poll bound states.

The meeting focused on accelerating the expansion of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) infrastructure in 110 identified focus Geographic Areas (GAs), while also strengthening last-mile connectivity in view of the evolving geopolitical situation in West Asia.

Senior officials from Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) participated in the meeting. Representatives of City Gas Distribution (CGD) entities operating in the identified areas were also present. The meeting witnessed participation from officials across more than 110 Geographic Areas, covering over 190 districts and more than 300 municipalities/urban authorities. Additionally, District Magistrates/Collectors from over 150 districts and Municipal Commissioners/Executive Officers from more than 260 Urban Local Bodies joined the deliberations.

The meeting was a follow-up of the Roundtable Review Meeting held on “Expansion of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) Services and Maintaining Essential Services” in urban areas on 28^th March 2026, chaired together by Hon’ble Union Ministers from the Ministries of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) and Consumer Affairs and Food and Public Distribution (MoCAFPD).

The meeting was convened to deliberate on accelerating PNG network expansion and ensuring uninterrupted delivery of essential services.

In today’s meeting, emphasis was laid on sensitizing States, districts and ULBs regarding the ongoing current situation and how to explore the potential of PNG infrastructure. Directions were issued to expedite permissions and approvals by ULBs to accelerate the expansion of PNG networks.

 

A detailed presentation was made on the current status of the CGD network, highlighting the significant infrastructure already laid across multiple geographical areas. The meeting underscored the need for a mission-mode approach, involving coordinated efforts across Ministries, States, districts and ULBs.

Secretary, MoHUA directed the States and ULBs to facilitate the mapping of PNG pipeline networks, accelerate the expansion of household PNG connections and focus on tapping unmet demand in the identified GAs to ensure greater access to safe, convenient and affordable fuel, thereby improving the quality of life and ease of living for urban households.

Key policy and regulatory measures undertaken by the Government were discussed, including the need for immediate prioritisation of providing household PNG connections in areas where pipeline infrastructure is already in place with a focus on unlocking the existing potential by targeting nearly 30 lakh connections in such areas. 

All Districts/ULBs were directed to prepare a time-bound three weeks action plan with ward-wise targets, identification of priority areas and clear timelines for approvals and execution. ULBs should prioritize areas where pipeline infrastructure is already available, high-demand locations and group housing societies to achieve quick results. Fast-tracking permissions in such areas was emphasized to demonstrate immediate progress, Secretary, MoHUA said. 

The Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), informed that various notifications have been issued by the Ministry since March 2026 regarding gas supply. Natural Gas & Petroleum Product Distribution Order - 2026 published on 24^th March, 2026  supersedes all previous notifications in this regard. He further stated that suitable directions have also been issued to all States/UTs and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to relax procedural norms, wherever feasible and to expedite the rollout of PNG connections in a time-bound manner.

Accordingly, the directions contained in the latest notifications shall prevail and all concerned stakeholders, including States/UTs, District Authorities, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and City Gas Distribution (CGD) entities, are required to align their actions and implementation strategies in strict accordance with these notifications to ensure uniformity, clarity and effective implementation.

Secretary, MoHUA further stressed upon scaling up the broader unmet potential of nearly 60 lakh PNG connections through focused campaigns and streamlined processes. A saturation approach was proposed for major cities, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Lucknow, Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai,  Pune, Surat and Varanasi to achieve near-universal PNG coverage by ensuring comprehensive network expansion and maximising household connections.

Secretary, MoHUA emphasized that continuous monitoring mechanisms at the Centre, State and district levels must be strengthened using technology platforms such as an MIS portal, to effectively track progress and promptly resolve bottlenecks. Dedicated MIS/portal will be developed for daily monitoring of PNG expansion. ULBs will ensure daily reporting on the portal to ensure transparency and accountability. Meanwhile, the CGD entities were directed to map their PNG pipeline networks on the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan portal for coordinated planning, population projects and integration of underground utility networks.

Further, all States/UTs and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) were directed to facilitate the establishment of a single-window, time-bound approval mechanism for PNG-related works. They shall ensure expeditious grant of permissions for civil works and strengthen coordination between the Urban Development Department and the Food & Civil Supplies Department to enable seamless implementation of PNG infrastructure.

Further all States/UTs and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) were directed to proactively help in  expanding PNG coverage among both bulk and domestic consumers by identifying demand clusters and mapping potential areas, including hostels, canteens, institutions and individual households. States/UTs shall prepare advance inventory plans of required materials to avoid supply-side constraints and ensure timely execution of works.

States/UTs and ULBs are also directed to prepare city-level and municipal-level action plans for systematic identification of potential areas for new PNG connections and to undertake targeted outreach activities. Further, ULBs shall establish close coordination with local plumbing associations to ensure the availability of skilled manpower for PNG installations. A database of certified plumbers shall be developed and short orientation programmes on safety protocols and installation standards shall be conducted on a regular basis.

Further, all States/UTs were directed to mandatorily constitute dedicated Quick Response Teams (QRTs)/Task Forces at the district and city levels under the direct supervision of the District Collector/Municipal Commissioner. These teams shall ensure daily monitoring, close coordination among all stakeholders and time-bound resolution of operational issues, so as to avoid any delays in the implementation of PNG infrastructure.

The need for awareness campaigns to promote the adoption of PNG among urban households was underscored for which States, ULBs and CGD entities were encouraged to undertake targeted outreach initiatives to improve consumer awareness regarding the safety, convenience and cost-effectiveness, accelerating the uptake of PNG connections. CGD entities were urged to remain fully active and responsive in implementation while States were advised to ensure that adequate instructions and information are communicated to field-level officers to facilitate seamless switchover for consumers without inconvenience.

Overall, the meeting stressed on the urgency of scaling up PNG connections from the current pace to a significantly higher level through coordinated and sustained efforts. Strengthened Centre–State–District collaboration, focused interventions in high-potential urban areas, enhanced consumer awareness, robust coordination mechanisms and technology-enabled monitoring frameworks for ensuring that the benefits of PNG reach eligible households and establishments in a timely and efficient manner.

 It was further highlighted that all efforts should align with the broader vision of the national urban transition agenda, treating the expansion of PNG infrastructure with urgency akin to a national priority. Concerns were raised regarding delays in approvals, coordination challenges among multiple agencies and limited consumer awareness.

Further State officials and representatives of CGDs put across their views on the expansion of PNG infrastructure, highlight key challenges faced on ground and suggested measures to streamline processes. The discussions focused on identifying strategies to enhance consumer adoption and accelerate the rollout of PNG connections across the identified focus Geographic Areas. Meeting ended with resolution to take whole of government approach and take PNG expansion as national priority.

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SK

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