Is PNG Fueling India's Growth? Over 1.47 Crore Households, 45,000 Businesses Connected!

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Piped Natural Gas (PNG) is now connecting over 1.47 crore households.
- Approximately 45,000 commercial establishments are now using PNG.
- Industrial PNG connections have surged by 308 percent.
- PNG offers a reliable and cost-effective energy solution.
- It significantly supports small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and job creation.
New Delhi, May 16 (NationPress) Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, emphasized the significant influence of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) in India, revealing that it currently powers over 1.47 crore households, approximately 45,000 commercial establishments, and beyond 20,000 industries nationwide.
In a recent post on the social media platform X, Puri remarked: "Over the last decade, commercial PNG connections have surged by 164 percent and industrial connections have escalated by an extraordinary 308 percent."
He underscored that PNG is not only environmentally sustainable but also economically advantageous.
"It enables industries to cut down on fuel costs, thereby decreasing production expenses and enhancing profitability," Puri stated.
Moreover, the continuous supply through pipelines guarantees a smooth production process without the hassles of storage issues or fuel scarcity, he noted.
The Union Minister pointed out that PNG is a safer energy alternative, minimizing the risk of gas leaks, making it especially advantageous for commercial hubs and industries.
He further elaborated that the growing acceptance of PNG is instrumental in bolstering small and medium enterprises (SMEs), generating jobs, and nurturing local economies.
"The commercial uptake of PNG plays a crucial role in sustaining small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which subsequently drives employment creation and fortifies local economies," Puri added.
This development aligns with India’s significant expansion of its City Gas Distribution (CGD) network over the past decade, attributed to the government’s persistent initiatives.
Currently, the CGD infrastructure encompasses 100 percent of the nation’s population, witnessing remarkable growth in both industrial and commercial PNG connections.
Official records indicate that commercial PNG connections have risen to 45,000 — a 164 percent increase — while industrial connections have surged by 308 percent, surpassing the 20,000 mark.
Earlier this month, Puri also highlighted the transformative effects of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) initiative.
On May 5, the minister took to X to share insights reflecting the significant changes this scheme has enacted, particularly for the underprivileged sections of society.