MUMBAI: As waiting times and shortages of LPG cylinders continue to rise, Maharashtra Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal has directed relevant government departments, local utilities, and authorities to grant permission for laying piped natural gas (PNG) pipelines within 24 hours.
Bhujbal also warned that if local utilities and authorities fail to fulfill their responsibilities, city gas distribution networks will receive deemed permission to proceed with their work without formal approval and provide pipeline gas connections to consumers.
“It has been observed that city gas distribution networks have submitted applications to various government utilities and authorities such as the fire brigade, police, local bodies, and the Public Works Department (PWD) to dig up roads and upgrade existing water and sewage networks. However, these permissions are still pending. The delay is administrative, resulting in a backlog of applications and hindering the expansion of the gas pipeline network. Therefore, the state government has decided to grant suo motu permissions to city gas distribution companies to develop infrastructure and lay gas pipelines,” the minister said.
He further added that a nodal officer will be appointed from the department to coordinate with city gas distributors and various utilities to streamline procedures and ensure smooth functioning.
“There are many areas where infrastructure and gas pipelines have already been laid. However, several consumers—including schools, colleges, community services, hospitals, hotels, and restaurant owners—have not yet opted for connections and continue to rely heavily on LPG cylinders. Such consumers must obtain gas pipeline connections within the next three months; otherwise, they risk losing their existing LPG cylinder connections. PNG services for these establishments will be treated as commercial services, and tariffs will be charged accordingly,” Bhujbal warned.