Despite PNG meter connection, nearly 40% customers can't access piped gas Many households with installed piped natural gas (PNG) meters are still unable to receive gas supply, according to recent reports. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has directed city gas distributors to prioritize resolving this issue, as the government continues to promote a shift from liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders to PNG. Despite efforts to expand connections, a significant portion of existing customers remain inactive, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current initiatives. Industry experts attribute the problem to a lack of last-mile connectivity, which refers to the final segment of infrastructure required to deliver gas to individual households. City gas companies, including Indraprastha Gas, GAIL Gas, Mahanagar Gas, and BPCL, have been advised to focus on activating existing connections rather than solely expanding new ones. Sujata Sharma, a joint secretary in the oil ministry, highlighted that companies are offering incentives such as free gas worth Rs 500 for households and waived security deposits for commercial users to encourage adoption. The challenge of inactive connections stems from a combination of factors. Some city gas distributors rushed to meet licensing targets in the past, leading to the installation of meters without thorough assessment of actual demand. Additionally, companies often provided connections without upfront payments, allowing customers to pay only once gas supply began. This practice inflated connection numbers but failed to ensure active usage. In many cases, the last-mile pipeline was never laid, or customers opted not to activate their meters due to a lack of need for PNG.#bpcl #indraprastha_gas #petroleum_and_natural_gas_regulatory_board #gail_gas #mahanagar_gas
