Govt Strengthening Natural Gas Infrastructure Across The Country, Says MoS Petroleum

New Delhi, Dec 8 (KNN) The Government is fast-tracking the expansion of the national gas grid to enhance the availability of and access to natural gas across the country, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi said on Monday.

In written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha, the Minister highlighted that the Government is implementing the ‘One Nation, One Gas Grid’ initiative.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has authorised approximately 34,233 km of natural gas pipeline (NGPL) network, covering common carrier lines, spur lines, tie-in connections, and dedicated pipelines. 

As of June 2025, a total of 25,429 km of the network became operational, while 10,459 km remain under various stages of construction.

As per the Minister, measures under this initiative include approving key trunk pipelines, viability gap funding in low-demand areas and accelerating city gas distribution (CGD) network expansion.

The Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) initiative has been promoted to encourage Bio-CNG production.

The expansion of the gas pipeline network aims to provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy, enhancing household convenience and reducing reliance on traditional fuels, particularly in rural areas. 

In industrial zones, assured gas supply at competitive prices strengthens manufacturing competitiveness, attracts investment, lowers operational costs, and supports job creation. 

Within CGD networks, greater availability of compressed natural gas (CNG) and piped natural gas (PNG) promotes cleaner mobility and domestic energy usage, contributing to improved air quality and environmental sustainability.

(KNN Bureau)