Lok Sabha Question No. 2058 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-31
Subject: Shortage of CNG Supply in Karnataka
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Dr. Prabha Mallikarjun

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2058

TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 st  July, 2025

## SHORTAGE OF CNG SUPPLY IN KARNATAKA

2058. Dr. Prabha Mallikarjun:

## पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũी

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

- (a) whether  there  is  a  shortage  of  Compressed  Natural  Gas  (CNG)  supply  in  Davanagere district of Karnataka forcing auto-rickshaw drivers to wait in long queues in front of CNG pumps and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  resolve  this  issue  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (c) whether  there  has  been  a  shortage  of  CNG  pumps  in  comparison  with  the  increased number of CNG-operated vehicles across the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether there would be any increase in the number of CNG pumps in Davanagere district of Karnataka and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũालय मŐ राǛमंũी ( ŵी सुरे श गोपी )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI)

(a) to (d) Establishment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations is part of the development of City  Gas  Distribution  (CGD)  Network  and  the  same  is  carried  out  by  the  CGD  entities authorized by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) as per their Minimum Work Programme (MWP). As per the MWP, the authorized entities are committed to establish 18,336 CNG stations across the country by 2034.As on 31.05.2025, the entities have established more than 8000 CNG Stations against the pro-rata target of establishing 5176 CNG Stations.

PNGRB has authorized Unison Enviro Private Limited (UEPL) for the development of City Gas Distribution  network  in  Chitradurga  &  Davanagere  districts  Geographical  Area  (GA).    The authorized entity is required to provide 42 CNG stations in the GA by 2028. As on 31.5.2025, the authorized entity  has  established  23  CNG  Stations  in  the  GA  against  the pro-rata  target  of  23 CNG stations.

UEPL operates 10 CNG retail outlets (ROs) in Davangere district to meet the CNG(T) demand. As of June 2025, total 6177CNG vehicles are registered in Davanagere (source:Vahan portal). UEPL has informed that as on date CNG sales in Davangere district is around 11,000 KG per day and no CNG supply shortages have been reported in the district. Further the CNG pumps are adequate  in  comparison  with  CNG  vehicles  in  Davangere  district  as  UEPL  has  compression capacity  of  more  than  22,500  KG  per  day  out  of  which  50%  is  being  utilised  to  support  the growing demand in Davangere district. UEPL has informed that it is undertaking augmentation of compression capacity at mother Station, which will add the capacity of 29,200 KG per day. Additionally,  the  CGD  entity  has  informed  that  3  new  CNG  ROs  are  under  construction  in Davanagere  district.  Concurrently,  the  entity  is  engaged  in  discussions  with  Oil  Marketing Companies to explore the possibility of setting up CNG infrastructure at their retail outlets.

The  Government  has  taken  various  steps  to  ensure  the  availability  of  natural  gas  to  CNG (Transport) and PNG (Domestic) sector, which includes allocating domestic gas on priority basis to  CNG(T)/PNG(D), diverting domestic gas from non-priority sectors to meet the requirement for  CNG(T)/PNG(D)  sector,  expansion  of  CGD  network,  expansion  of  National  Gas  Grid Pipeline, setting up of Liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) initiatives to promote Bio-CNG, etc. Government has also notified  that  gas  produced  from  discoveries  in  deep  water,  ultra-deep  water  and  high-pressure high temperature areas is prioritized for supply to the CNG(T)/PNG(D) sectors.

Further, the Government monitors the progress of CGD networks based on reports submitted by the entities. If there are any delays or shortfalls, the PNGRB advises the entity to take corrective action.  This  includes  calling  them  for  progress  review  meetings  or  statutory  hearings  under existing  regulations  to  discuss  challenges  and  the  latest  updates  on  their  MWP  targets  in authorized GAs.

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