Bhubaneswar: With global fuel disruptions impacting LPG availability, the Odisha government has launched an urgent push to expand its city gas distribution (CGD) network, promoting piped natural gas (PNG) and CNG as more stable and sustainable alternatives for consumers.
The move comes against the backdrop of strained international petroleum supply chains, prompting the state to prioritise natural gas—largely sourced domestically—to ensure energy security and long-term price stability for both households and businesses.
A high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg at Lok Seva Bhavan today set the tone for accelerated implementation. The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary (Industries) Hemant Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary (Housing and Urban Development) Usha Padhee, and Principal Secretary (Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare) Sanjay Kumar Singh, along with representatives from GAIL, BPCL, and Adani Total Gas. Officials discussed key bottlenecks in infrastructure development and outlined a time-bound roadmap.
The government has directed that all approvals related to pipeline laying—across municipal bodies, works departments, and water resources agencies—must be cleared within 24 hours. Urban local bodies have also been instructed to waive road restoration and permission fees for city gas companies to remove procedural delays.
In a major administrative push, gas infrastructure projects will be executed on a “war footing”, with companies permitted to operate round the clock. The state has set a deadline of June 30, 2026, to complete critical infrastructure expansion.
To streamline coordination, a state-level nodal officer will be appointed to align efforts across departments including industry, urban development, and food supplies.
The initiative is aimed at encouraging households as well as commercial establishments—such as hospitals, hotels, and restaurants—to shift from LPG to PNG and CNG. Energy companies have also been encouraged to offer incentives to domestic consumers to accelerate adoption.
Officials said the strategy is designed to protect citizens from global energy shocks while building a more resilient, self-reliant fuel ecosystem in the state.
