The City Gas Distribution single window system is a government initiative aimed at delivering clean, affordable energy through Piped Natural Gas (PNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for domestic, commercial, industrial, and transportation uses. The project promotes environmental sustainability and industrial growth by reducing urban pollution and streamlining operations. A Single Window System expedites the process of obtaining necessary permissions—from laying pipelines on public roads to securing no-objection certificates—ensuring compliance with PNGRB guidelines. This framework not only accelerates CGD infrastructure development but also attracts investments and creates job opportunities in construction, engineering, and customer services.
Background
The Government of India notified the Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) Act 2006, which provides the legal framework for the development of natural gas pipelines and city or local gas distribution networks. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has issued authorization to develop CGD infrastructure in a defined Geographical Area to various CGD Entities through a bidding process with the following salient features:
- These Geographical Areas (GAs) may contain a part of a district or a district or more than a district.
- Authorized CGD Entity shall follow the Minimum Work Program (MWP) schedule set by PNGRB, which includes the development of the Steel Pipeline Network (Inch-KM), Number of CNG Stations and Number of Domestic-PNG connections in the authorized area and there are also penalty provisions on CGD Entities in case of not meeting the MWP targets. This makes the CGD projects as time-bound projects.
- Exclusivity of CGD infrastructure as a common carrier is available to the CGD Entities in their authorized Geographical Areas for a period as specified in their respective authorization letter.
Objectives of Network Development & Expansion
- The objective of the development of the city gas distribution network is to increase the availability of clean and safe cooking fuel (PNG) and clean transportation fuel (CNG) to the citizens of the state.
- Establish asset integrity and ensure the uninterrupted and safe supply of natural gas.
- Creating a policy framework for city gas distribution entities and providing standardized and time-bound permission/approval through necessary Single Window Systems.
- Encourage the use of natural gas for industrial/commercial, transport and household purposes.
- Ensure speedy implementation of city gas distribution infrastructure in the state.
Permissions for CGD Infrastructure Development
CGD network is a vital public utility, and supply of natural gas to domestic, commercial, industrial and transport sectors is one of its major civic services. Laying of pipelines on National Highways/State Highways/Village Roads/District Roads and roads under the jurisdiction of Municipal Corporations/ Panchayat bodies requires obtaining permissions from various concerned authorities. Since the CGD pipeline network is a time-bound project, obtaining these permissions in a time-bound manner is essential for its speedy development. In addition, maintaining uniformity in various types of charges, standardizing the permission process and developing a work-oriented payment system is also an important part of this process.