New Delhi 28 March 26, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Pralhad Joshi today held a Roundtable Review Meeting in Delhi on Expansion of Piped Natural Gas Services and Maintaining Essential Services in urban areas. The review meeting brought together key stakeholders to deliberate on accelerating PNG network expansion across urban India and ensuring uninterrupted delivery of essential services.
Addressing the gathering, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister highlighted the evolving global energy landscape and stressed on the importance of strengthening PNG infrastructure to enhance energy security and resilience. Mr Hardeep Puri encouraged States and Urban Local Bodies to actively promote PNG adoption, particularly in areas where infrastructure is already available.
Housing and Urban Affairs Minister underscored the critical role of cities as engines of economic growth and called for mission-mode implementation to accelerate PNG expansion. He outlined key priorities, including institutionalisation of single-window approvals, integration of PNG infrastructure into urban planning, facilitation of last-mile connectivity and convergence with ongoing urban development initiatives. An ambitious target of providing 50 lakh new PNG connections was also highlighted. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi emphasised the need to maintain uninterrupted essential supplies, curb misinformation, and prevent black marketing of fuel. He advised States to strengthen monitoring and vigilance mechanisms and to encourage consumers to transition from LPG to PNG wherever feasible.