Lok Sabha Question No. 1158 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-09
Subject: Status of CGD Networks
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Mahua Moitra

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1158

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 9TH FEBRUARY, 2023

## Status of CGD Networks

## 1158. SHRIMATI  MAHUA MOITRA:

## पेोलयम और ाक ृतक गैस मंी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a)    the  details  of  the  targets  promised  versus  target  achieved  under  City  Gas  Distribution  (CGD) Networks, entity and year-wise;
- (b)  the action taken by the regulator for non-achievement of targets;
- (c)    whether  there  are  complaints  that  CGD  entities  are  placing  gaslines  in  or  near  buildings  and claiming connections to every household while many such lines are not even charged and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether any action has been/is being taken by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) in this regard, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e)  the status of creation of the Transport System Operation and unbundling of GAIL?

## ANSWER

## पेोलयम और ाक ृ तक गैस मंालय म राय मंी ( ी रामेवर तेल )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

(a) to (d) Establishment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) station and providing Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections  are  part  of  the  development  of  City  Gas  Distribution  (CGD)  Network  and  the same is being carried out by the entities authorized by Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB).  After completion of 11A bidding round PNGRB has authorized 295 Geographical Areas (GAs) potentially covering about 98% of the population and 88% of the total Geographical Areas of the Country spread over around 630 Districts in 28 States / UTs.

CNG stations are commissioned and PNG connections are provided by the authorised CGD entities as per  the  Minimum  Work  Plan  (MWP)  mandated  by  PNGRB  and  Techno  Commercial  Feasibility. PNGRB takes action in line with PNGRB Act and Regulations framed thereunder in case of default in achievement  of  the  MWP  targets  by  the  CGD  entity.  As  on  30.11.2022,  authorized  entities  have established 4918 CNG Stations and provided 102.03 Lakh PNG connections against the MWP target of 597 CNG stations and 10,984,558 PNG connections respectively.

Achievement of MWP target for domestic PNG connection by the authorised entities are considered only  against  the  fulfilment  of  conditions  prescribed,  including  laying  of  pipeline  in  or  around  the household and installing other allied equipment by the entity. Charging of such PNG connection is subject to the commercial agreement between the authorized entity and the customer.

Under PNGRB Act, the Board shall have jurisdiction to receive any complaint from any person and conduct any inquiry and investigation connected with the activities relating to petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas on contravention of retail service obligations, marketing service obligations and display of retail price at retail outlets. Any complaint received by PNGRB is disposed as per the provisions of the Act and regulations framed thereunder.

- (e)  Currently, there is no proposal for unbundling of Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL). Stake holder consultation for creation of Transport System Operator (TSO) has since been initiated. The structure and function of TSO is predicated upon the outcome of comments received during the stake holder consultation and evolution of gas market in the country.

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