Image for representational purposes only. | Photo credit: PTI
The Union government has written to state governments and union territories asking them to consider the pending applications for laying of city gas pipelines (CGDs) as approved and fresh applications to be approved within twenty-four hours, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) told reporters at an inter-ministerial briefing here on 2071.
Ms. Sharma further informed that the Union Government has also asked the respective governments to waive road rehabilitation and permit fees and relax working conditions, among others.
“The (Union) government has written to state and union territory governments asking them to grant ‘deemed approval’ to all pending applications for pipeline laying, new applications to be approved within twenty-four hours,” it said, adding, “Furthermore, road renewal and permit fees – which are collected by the respective state governments – be waived off without working hours and coordination for faster holiday and better work season. Implementation.”
Separately, in response to a query, she told reporters that domestic LPG production has increased by 38% year-to-date since orders to maintain supplies were issued.
Further, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Shipping and Waterways also informed that six tankers are currently carrying an average of 45,000 metric tons of cooking gas in the western part of the Strait of Hormuz, which is a total of approximately 3 million metric tons.
For context, the underlined measures are part of the government’s broader aim to induce supportive infrastructure to push consumers to switch to piped gas (PNG) to ease pressure on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which is facing continued pressure amid escalating tensions in West Asia. India imports 60% of its LPG needs, of which 90% goes through the Strait of Hormuz.
It is important to note that in a press conference on Monday (March 16, 2026), Ms. Sharma also informed that several CGD companies are providing incentives to support the potential transition. For example, distributors Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGL) and GAIL Gas offer free gas worth ₹500 to domestic consumers; Mahanagar Gas Ltd is seeking to waive the mandatory registration fee of ₹500 for domestic consumers and Bharat Petroleum is seeking to waive the deposit on all potential commercial pipelines.
For context, according to data from the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), by the end of September last year, it had approved the laying of roughly 34,200 km of gas pipelines. Of this, 25,293 km have been commissioned with 9,954 km under construction.
PNGRB waives imbalance charges
From a supply perspective, the regulator informed that, in view of the “prevailing geopolitical crisis”, it has decided to waive the deviation fees applicable to relevant entities, shippers and consumers until June 30 with immediate effect.
“This exemption is granted as a temporary relief measure in light of the extraordinary circumstances arising from the current geopolitical situation in the Gulf countries which has adversely affected supply conditions and operational balancing,” the notice said, adding: “During the above period, the affected entities/shippers will not be charged any imbalance charges with respect to gas planning/offtake conditions and compliance with all operational/offtake/transportation conditions and all other regulations regarding scheduling/pickup/shipping requirements.”
For context, for the inefficient use of gas pipelines, deviation fees are charged to the concerned entities.
Published – 17 March 2026 22:22 IST
