LPG crisis or not, PNG remains a pipe dream for Nagpur citizens Nagpur residents continue to face challenges in transitioning to piped natural gas (PNG) despite the city’s recent connection to the Mumbai-Nagpur gas pipeline. While the government has pushed for the expansion of PNG infrastructure, officials estimate it will take nearly eight years to fully establish the network, leaving many households and businesses reliant on LPG cylinders amid ongoing shortages. The Haryana City Gas (HCG), the authorized distributor for CNG and PNG in the region, has begun supplying gas to select areas but emphasizes that the project’s scale and timeline remain daunting. The Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) commissioned the 700-km Mumbai-Nagpur pipeline in December 2023, enabling natural gas supply to the region. However, the pace of distribution network development has drawn criticism from industry experts. According to HCG officials, the pipeline’s completion does not automatically guarantee rapid expansion of PNG coverage. While gas has reached parts of Nagpur, including Butibori, Hingna, and Khapri, the city’s full coverage remains a distant goal. A senior HCG official noted that the project will require eight years to complete, despite the pipeline’s recent activation. Industry sources argue that groundwork for the distribution network should have started earlier to accelerate progress. They suggest that if the pipeline had been operational sooner, HCG could have expanded coverage more rapidly. The government has prioritized CNG and PNG infrastructure, with Union minister Nitin Gadkari urging the project to be completed within two years instead of the proposed eight-year timeline.#nagpur #nitin_gadkari #haryana_city_gas #gas_authority_of_india_limited #mumbai_nagpur_pipeline
