Chandigarh city gas network expansion: PNGRB meets Governor Kataria, PNG launched at Raj Bhavan
Synopsis
Chandigarh's Raj Bhavan now runs on piped natural gas — a deliberate signal from the administration as PNGRB pushes to clear bottlenecks in the city's gas distribution network. With over 5 lakh new PNG connections added nationally and 5.1 lakh more in the pipeline since March, India's LPG-to-gas shift is accelerating, driven in part by the West Asia crisis.
Key Takeaways
PNGRB Chairperson Anil Kumar Jain met Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on 7 August to review City Gas Distribution expansion in Chandigarh .
Governor Kataria inaugurated PNG supply at Raj Bhavan , marking a milestone in the Union Territory's clean energy transition.
Close to 5 lakh new PNG connections have been gasified nationally, with over 5.1 lakh additional customers registered since March 2025 .
The expansion is part of India's strategy to cut LPG dependence amid the West Asia crisis .
PNGRB's unified tariff , implemented from 1 April 2023 , ensures equal pipeline rates regardless of distance from the gas source, with a fixed 12% return on capital.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), led by Chairperson Anil Kumar Jain and Director (Monitoring) Lt. Col. Kumar Abhishek, held a high-level meeting with Punjab Governor and Union Territory Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria on Friday, 7 August in Chandigarh to accelerate the expansion of the City Gas Distribution (CGD) network across the Union Territory. The meeting centred on clearing operational bottlenecks and driving faster adoption of clean natural gas in the region.
PNG Supply Inaugurated at Raj Bhavan
Following the discussions, Governor Kataria formally inaugurated Piped Natural Gas (PNG) supply at Raj Bhavan, marking a symbolic and practical milestone in Chandigarh's shift toward cleaner energy. The move is intended to set a precedent for sustainable energy adoption across the Union Territory, with the administration signalling that government buildings will lead by example.
Surge in PNG Connections Amid West Asia Crisis
The push for CGD expansion comes against the backdrop of India's efforts to reduce dependence on LPG amid the ongoing West Asia crisis. According to official figures, close to 5 lakh new PNG connections have been gasified as households switch from LPG to natural gas for cooking. Additionally, over 5.1 lakh customers have registered for new connections since March 2025. Citizens have also been encouraged to adopt alternative fuels such as PNG and electric or induction cooktops as part of broader energy conservation efforts.
PNGRB's New Tariff Policy for Pipelines
The PNGRB has proposed a revised tariff policy for long-distance pipelines that would allow lower rates for city gas entities supplying CNG to vehicles and piped cooking gas to households. Traditionally, transmission tariffs were apportioned along the length of the pipeline, meaning consumers farther from the gas source paid higher rates. To address this disparity, a unified tariff for all consumers connected to the natural gas grid was proposed in November 2020 and implemented from 1 April 2023. The existing framework fixes tariffs to provide a 12 per cent return on capital employed.
What This Means for Chandigarh Residents
For Chandigarh's residents, an expanded CGD network translates into cleaner cooking fuel, reduced household fuel costs over time, and lower vehicular emissions as CNG penetration grows. The meeting's outcomes — particularly the inauguration of PNG at Raj Bhavan — signal that the administration intends to move the city's clean energy transition from policy intent to visible action. The next phase will depend on how quickly the identified operational bottlenecks are resolved and infrastructure is rolled out across residential and commercial zones.
Point of View
Or whether this remains a headline event. With 5.1 lakh pending registrations since March alone, demand is clearly outpacing supply. The PNGRB's unified tariff, while structurally sound, has been in force since April 2023 — yet Chandigarh still needed a high-level intervention to move the needle. That gap between policy design and on-ground execution is the real story here.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was decided at the PNGRB meeting with Chandigarh's Governor on 7 August?
The PNGRB delegation, led by Chairperson Anil Kumar Jain, met Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria to review the expansion of Chandigarh's City Gas Distribution network and address operational bottlenecks. Following the meeting, the Governor inaugurated PNG supply at Raj Bhavan.
What is the City Gas Distribution network and why does it matter for Chandigarh?
The City Gas Distribution (CGD) network supplies piped natural gas for cooking and CNG for vehicles directly to homes and fuel stations. Expanding it in Chandigarh is intended to reduce reliance on LPG, lower emissions, and provide a cleaner, more affordable fuel option for residents.
How many new PNG connections have been added across India recently?
Close to 5 lakh new PNG connections have been gasified as consumers switch from LPG to natural gas, and over 5.1 lakh additional customers have registered for new connections since March 2025, according to official figures.
What is the PNGRB's unified tariff policy for natural gas pipelines?
The unified tariff ensures all consumers connected to the natural gas grid pay the same pipeline transmission rate, regardless of their distance from the gas source. Proposed in November 2020 and implemented from 1 April 2023, it replaced a distance-based model that disadvantaged consumers farther from supply points. Tariffs are fixed to provide a 12 per cent return on capital employed.
Why is India accelerating the shift from LPG to PNG?
India is pushing PNG adoption to reduce dependence on LPG, supplies of which have been affected by the ongoing West Asia crisis. PNG is also cleaner, cheaper over time, and aligns with the government's broader clean energy and energy security goals.
