Gandhinagar, March 24 (NationPress) The government of Gujarat has initiated a significant campaign to enhance the availability of piped natural gas (PNG) connections and to boost commercial LPG distributions throughout the state. This initiative aims to modernize fuel delivery systems and guarantee a steady supply for both essential services and commercial enterprises.

During a press briefing, Principal Secretary of the Food and Civil Supplies Department, Mona Khandhar, emphasized that the focus is on transitioning current LPG users to PNG wherever the infrastructure is accessible.

"All users with both LPG and PNG connections will be mandated to switch to PNG, leading to the surrender of their LPG connections by oil marketing firms," she stated.

Khandhar explained that comprehensive data is being exchanged between PNG providers and oil marketing companies for precise mapping, with the oversight of the District Collector and District Supply Officers throughout the entire process.

In regions lacking PNG infrastructure, the state has escalated commercial LPG allocations from 10% to 25% for establishments such as restaurants, hotels, industrial and corporate canteens, guest houses, and food processing facilities.

Crucial MSME sectors, which contribute significantly to employment in each district, will receive a 10% quota for commercial LPG.

Hospitals, educational institutions, registered old age homes, orphanages, and longstanding religious and social organizations will continue to receive LPG as they have previously, with hospitals and schools obtaining 100% of their needs, while specific industries like pharmaceuticals, dairy, and seed processing will be allotted 70%.

Organizations providing regular meals for at least a year will still access LPG up to 25% of their requirement.

To accelerate PNG adoption, the state government has established strict timelines for processing applications.

In areas with an existing PNG network, pending domestic and commercial applications will be sanctioned within 10 days.

Societies and newly developed areas adjacent to PNG networks will receive assistance from City Gas Distribution companies to secure connections, after which their LPG connections will be terminated.

Khandhar noted, "In Ahmedabad, over 1,200 commercial and more than 350,000 domestic connections are being converted to PNG. Nearly 900 societies will also be connected to the PNG network in the next three months, with similar initiatives taking place in other cities across the state."

City Gas Distribution companies have been directed to acquire Right of Way approvals from local authorities and the Road and Building Departments within 24 hours, without any fees, to expedite the expansion of the PNG network.

This initiative is being executed with a focus on enhancing PNG infrastructure while ensuring a continuous fuel supply for hospitals, educational bodies, essential industries, and social institutions.