The Government of Maharashtra has issued a Government Resolution (GR) aimed at accelerating the expansion of piped natural gas (PNG) infrastructure across urban areas, in a major push towards cleaner and more efficient energy access for households and establishments.
The move is intended to speed up implementation of City Gas Distribution (CGD) projects and improve last-mile connectivity of natural gas supply in cities.
Objective of the Decision
The GR focuses on:
Rapid expansion of piped natural gas networks in urban regions
Faster household and commercial PNG connections
Promotion of cleaner fuel to reduce dependence on LPG
Officials said the initiative is designed to improve energy availability, affordability, and environmental sustainability in urban Maharashtra.
Key Provisions of the GR
- Faster Approvals
All permissions related to pipeline laying will be processed on a time-bound basis
Local authorities have been directed to grant approvals within a strict deadline of 24 hours where applicable
Pending permissions will be fast-tracked to avoid project delays - Ease of Infrastructure Work
Charges for road restoration and related permissions have been waived for CGD companies
Companies will be responsible for restoring roads after pipeline work - Relaxation of NOC Requirements
Separate NOCs from multiple departments such as traffic police and fire services have been streamlined/relaxed
CGD agencies will only need to submit daily work schedules to authorities - 24×7 Construction Permission
Pipeline laying work will be allowed on a round-the-clock basis
Seasonal restrictions on excavation activity have been eased to speed up execution - Monitoring System
Each CGD company must appoint a district-level nodal officer
Weekly progress reports on:
New pipeline laying
PNG connections added
State-level monitoring will be conducted to track implementation
Citizen-Centric Measures
The GR also includes provisions to improve consumer access:
PNG connections to be made available to:
Existing and new residential societies
Commercial establishments
Application process enabled through:
Online platforms
Offline facilitation centres
CGD companies must establish:
24×7 helplines
Customer support desks
Ward-level facilitation centres
Background
The decision comes amid efforts to strengthen India’s city gas distribution network and reduce reliance on conventional fuels like LPG. The push also aligns with national priorities for expanding cleaner energy sources and improving urban infrastructure.
Authorities said the move is expected to reduce project delays caused by multiple approvals and procedural bottlenecks.
Expected Impact
The initiative is likely to:
Expand PNG coverage in urban Maharashtra
Improve access to cleaner cooking fuel
Reduce dependence on LPG cylinders
Lower carbon emissions in cities
Enhance convenience for households and businesses
