Push for PNG in Jaipur faces infra gaps despite govt drive

Jaipur: The Centre's move to link 30% allocation of commercial LPG to states' progress in expanding piped natural gas (PNG) has prompted the Rajasthan govt to push hotels and restaurants in Jaipur to shift to PNG, even as limited infrastructure poses a major hurdle.District officials said outreach has begun to encourage commercial users to apply for PNG connections so oil marketing companies (OMCs) can gauge demand and plan expansion. "We are in talks with associations and owners of hotels and restaurants. We are trying to motivate them to apply for PNG connections. This will help OMCs prepare a roadmap and establish their infrastructure," Jaipur district supply officer Priyawarit Singh Charan told TOI. However, industry representatives flagged that Jaipur's PNG network remains too limited for a large-scale transition. Sources said Torrent Gas, the sole provider in the city, currently operates mainly in the Vishwakarma Industrial Area and parts of Sikar Road, with only 22 commercial connections compared to nearly 21,000 LPG users. Speaking to TOI, Tarun Kumar Bansal, president of Hotels and Restaurant Association of Rajasthan (HRAR), said the industry is willing to support the govt amid LPG shortages but infrastructure remains a constraint. "In the time of crisis, all associations are ready to support the govt. Unlike Jodhpur, the scope of PNG infrastructure is very limited in Jaipur," he said. "We have asked the OMC to provide a map of its operational areas in the city. In crisis, electricity can be the most viable alternative," Bansal added. Charan said the push is aimed at long-term gains but can ease immediate pressure. "If all consumers of VKI area switch to PNG, the LPG requirement can be catered to other parts," he said.