Faster PNG rollout as permits can be cleared in 24 hrs

Pic: Centre order empowers districts to fast-track city gas approvalsHubballi: Amid LPG supply disruptions triggered by recent disturbances in West Asia, the state and Union govts have stepped up efforts to accelerate the transition to piped natural gas (PNG).Chief secretary Shalini Ranjeesh has directed all DCs to prioritise permissions for city gas distribution (CGD) entities, stressing that faster PNG adoption hinges on rapid expansion of infrastructure. She said Karnataka's CGD Network Development Policy mandates that all such permissions be granted within 15 days. Referring to the urgency, she said the Union govt issued an order on March 24 setting clear timelines for gas pipeline and distribution permissions. "It also provides that if the permissions are not provided within the said timelines, it shall be deemed to have been granted," she said.Sources in the Dharwad DC's office said the order empowers district administrations to clear all pending CGD permission requests within 24 hours and report compliance to the secretary of the food, public distribution and consumer affairs department. "Henceforth, all permissions should be granted strictly within the timelines laid down. District administrations should discuss with the GAIL representative about the expansion of the PNG network, especially in high-density residential, commercial and industrial areas in a time-bound manner," they said.Vinod Papal, deputy general manager at Indian Oil and Adani Gas Pvt Ltd (IOAGPL), Hubballi-Dharwad, said the order would further accelerate the shift to PNG. "Since the LPG crisis exists for domestic and commercial use, demand for PNG for domestic, commercial, and industrial use is increasing," he said.He said converting a vehicle from LPG to CNG costs about Rs 30,000, prompting many vehicle owners in the twin cities to come forward. "Currently, we have 14 CNG stations in Hubballi-Dharwad, and three more are coming up within a year. About 5,000 CNG vehicles are running on city roads. We can also provide partial financial assistance to auto-rickshaw owners to get converted from LPG to CNG," Papal said.Auto-rickshaw drivers, including Fakkiresh Kundagol and Laxman Badiger, urged the govt to fully bear the Rs 30,000 conversion cost from LPG to CNG for all autorickshaw drivers.