Question : PNG Gas Network

(a) whether the Government proposes to expand Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to Visakhapatnam and other cities of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken/being taken by the Government to provide PNG connection in all small/medium and major cities/towns in the country, State/UT-wise;
(b) the steps taken by the Government to provide PNG in those areas where no such facility is available so far along with percentage of areas covered under PNG network in various parts of the country, State/UT-wise;
(c) whether the Government proposes to open CNG filling station in the coastal areas and religious places of Gujarat by GAIL and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether some State-owned Public Sector oil companies and other companies have set up CNG Stations in the country and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise and company-wise;
(e) whether CNG station set up by other than Public Sector oil companies violated the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006 and if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by the Government against such companies, State/UT-wise; and
(f) whether the Government has received proposals/demands from various States for increasing PNG coverage in their States, if so, the details thereof along with upcoming Geographical Areas identified for development of City Gas Distribution network in the country, State/UT-wise?

MINISTER OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)
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(a) & (b): Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) vide public notice dated 10.03.2016 listed the identified Geographical Areas (GAs) for future bidding rounds. Visakhapatnam has been identified as probable GA under Smart Cities category (Annexure-I) to be taken up in future bidding rounds depending on natural gas pipeline connectivity/gas availability and techno-commercial viability of city gas distribution in the area to develop CGD network. Further, PNGRB has identified the 146 numbers of probable GAs for next bidding round based on pipeline connectivity/ gas availability and techno commercial feasibility. (Lists enclosed as Annexure- II). In order to promote clean environmental friendly fuel i.e. CNG/PNG, Government has put this under no cut category and allotted Domestic gas for promotion of CGD
network. PNGRB identified 146 GAs for future bidding rounds for development of CGD networks. Further, 78 numbers of Geographical Areas (GAs) have been authorized by PNGRB for development of City or local Natural Gas Distribution Networks including PNG network in various parts of the country. List of State wise authorized GAs is enclosed as Annexure- III. (c) & (d): The Government has established Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) under the PNGRB Act, 2006, which is the statutory authority to grant authorization for the development of City Gas Distribution (CGD) network which includes Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)/Piped Natural Gas (PNG) network. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is marketed by City Gas Distribution (CGD) companies either through existing retail outlets offered by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) or through standalone CNG stations set up by them based on feasibility and techno-commercial viability. GAIL has not been authorized coastal areas and religious places of Gujarat for setting up of CNG gas filling stations. The details of CNG Stations in the country State/UT-wise and company-wise is at Annexure-IV. (e): PNGRB has informed that Gujarat Gas Limited is operating one mother station and seven CNG Daughter Booster Stations (DBS) in Anand area, but which is authorized to Charotar Gas Sahakari Mandali Limited. Gujarat Gas Limited is operating five CNG stations including one online CNG station in Banaskantha GA, which is authorized to IRM Energy Private Limited. PNGRB is taking necessary action for transferring those CNG stations to the respective authorized entities. Haryana City Gas Distribution Ltd. is operating two CNG stations in the Jhajjar area without No Objection Certificate (NOC) from PNGRB. PNGRB has sent communications to Deputy Commissioner, Jhajjar and Chief Controller of Explosives to take necessary action on those CNG stations. (f): Apart from letters from State Governments, the Minister, PNG has held two stakeholders consultation with State Governments representatives on 6.09.2016 and 5.12.2017. PNGRB listed 146 GAs (Annexure-III) for future bidding rounds for development of CGD networks, in which demands from various states for PNG coverage are also included. PNGRB has received various proposals from the State Governments/Public Representatives for increasing PNG coverage in their States. A list of the same is enclosed at Annexure-V.