Centre Pushes Rapid PNG Expansion Amid LPG Crunch, Targets 50 Lakh New Connections

• Centre advocates for rapid expansion of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) networks in urban areas due to LPG supply concerns from West Asia conflict.
• Union Ministers Manohar Lal Khattar, Hardeep Singh Puri, and Pralhad Joshi discussed priorities like single-window clearance and integrating gas pipelines into urban planning.
• An ambitious target of 50 lakh new PNG connections was set, with focus on improving last-mile connectivity.
• Key bottlenecks identified include delays in municipal permissions, Right of Way (RoW) approvals, and high restoration charges; states urged rationalization or waiver of these charges.
• Consensus reached on phased transition from LPG to PNG, with states and ULBs agreeing to streamline approvals and enhance coordination for faster rollout.