City Gas Distribution Firms Boost Infrastructure to Expedite PNG Adoption in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry

In line with the National PNG drive initiated by the Centre to encourage the adoption of piped natural gas, city gas distribution companies such as Torrent Gas and AG&P Pratham are intensifying efforts to enhance infrastructure for PNG supply in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), in collaboration with City Gas Distribution (CGD) companies, has launched a campaign from January 26 to March 31. The campaign aims to promote the adoption of PNG among households and expand the consumer base across a wider segment of the population.

As of now, approximately 300 geographical areas (GAs) are authorized in the country, covering 98 percent of the population and 88 percent of its area for CGD network development. The target by 2032 includes installing 12.5 crore domestic PNG connections and establishing 17,751 CNG stations. As of November 30, 2023, 1.2 crore domestic PNG connections and 6,159 CNG stations have been set up.

In Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, 21 GAs have been awarded by PNGRB, with a cumulative target of over 2.2 crore PNG connections. During the National PNG drive, CGD companies are aiming for 59 lakh new PNG registrations and the installation of 24 lakh new PNG connections in these GAs.

Torrent Gas has been authorized to provide CNG and PNG in Chennai, Thiruvallur, and Nagapattinam districts of Tamil Nadu and Karaikal district in Puducherry. The company has made significant progress in laying the infrastructure for natural gas supply to Chennai, having laid 95 km of steel pipeline and 69 km of polyethylene (PE). PNG connection allotment is underway in New Manali Town, Madhavaram, Kallikuppam, and Nollambur areas of Chennai.

In FY25, additional areas including Mogappair, Natesan Nagar, Ayyanapakkam, Puzhal, Padi, Jai Nagar, Choolaimedu, and Perambur will also be covered. Torrent Gas operates 67 CNG stations within Chennai and Thiruvallur, providing CNG as an alternative fuel for the transportation sector.

AG&P Pratham has secured 12 CGD licenses to exclusively provide natural gas for everyday use in 37 districts in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Rajasthan.

HBL