Maharashtra pushes PNG rollout with 24×7 helplines amid West Asia crisis

The Maharashtra government on Friday directed city gas distribution companies to operationalise 24×7 helplines and increase the number of centres to accept applications for piped natural gas (PNG) connections.

A Government Resolution (GR), issued by the food and civil supplies department against the backdrop of the West Asia conflict and its impact on global energy supply chains, asked companies to expand outreach and infrastructure to ensure wider PNG coverage across the state.

The GR said disruptions in global energy supply have affected petroleum product availability, leading to constraints in LPG supply, and emphasised the need to accelerate PNG connections as a short-term mitigation measure.

It directed city gas distribution (CGD) companies to keep 24-hour helplines functional for consumers and ensure citizens do not face inconvenience while applying for connections. The companies were also asked to increase the number of helplines and helpdesks based on city population and rising demand.

Further, the GR instructed companies to expand ward-level centres to accept new PNG connection applications and to make both online and offline application systems widely available with adequate publicity.

“Housing societies, whether registered or proposed, as well as residents of constructed buildings, have been asked to submit collective or individual applications to facilitate faster rollout of PNG connections,” the GR said.

The government also called for the setting up of information and assistance centres by municipal corporations, district supply officers and CGD firms, and mandated regular district-level reviews of progress.

“To monitor implementation, CGD companies must appoint district-level nodal officers and submit weekly progress reports on PNG pipeline expansion and connections, which will be consolidated and reviewed at the state level every Monday,” it said.

The GR said the directions will remain in force until the prevailing global geopolitical situation stabilises.