Lok Sabha Question No. 1069 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Expansion of CGD Network and PNG Infrastructure in Sonipat
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Shri Satpal Brahamchari

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1069 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 th  February, 2026

## EXPANSION OF CGD NETWORK AND PNG INFRASTRUCTURE IN SONIPAT

## † 1069. SHRI SATPAL BRAHAMCHARI:

## पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũी

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  establishment  of  natural  gas-based  industries  in  the Sonipat Lok Sabha Constituency has significant potential for industrial development and employment generation, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is a fact that the expansion of City Gas Distribution (CGD) network and Piped Natural Gas  (PNG) infrastructure  in  the  area  is  still  inadequate  causing  difficulties  to  industries,  if  so  the details thereof;
- (c) the number of proposals received and the number of proposals approved for setting up natural gas based industrial units in the said Constituency since 2018;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  proposed  any  special  package  or  policy  to  promote  gas  based industries, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the future action plan of the Government in this regard for the Sonipat area?

ANSWER

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

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

(a) to (e) Providing Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections, establishment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)  stations  and  laying  of  pipeline  infrastructure  are  part  of  the  development  of  City  Gas Distribution (CGD) Network, which inter alia include creation of pipeline infrastructure and other facilities for the supply of PNG to domestic, commercial and industrial units and CNG to transport sector is being carried out by the entities authorized by Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) as per their Minimum Work Programme (MWP) and techno-commercial feasibility.

Sonipat  Constituency  consists  of  2  Geographical  Areas  (GAs)  Sonipat  GA  and  Sonipat  District (EAAA) & Jind District GA. PNGRB has authorized Sonipat GA to GAIL Gas Limited (GGL). As per the MWP,GGL had to provide 60,000 PNG (D) connections, establish 3 CNG stations and lay 329  inch-km  pipeline  in  the  GA  by  2014.  As  on  30.11.2025,  GGL  has  provided  48,270  PNG(D) connections, established 29 CNG stations and laid 586 inch-km pipeline in the Sonipat GA.

Sonipat District (EAAA) & Jind District GA has been authorized by PNGRB to Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL). As per the MWP,HPCL has to provide 98,000 PNG (D) connections, establish 38 CNG stations and lay 1,183 inch-km pipeline in the GA by 2028. As on 30.11.2025, HPCL has provided 14,769 PNG(D) connections, established 47 CNG stations and laid 1,232 inchkm pipeline in the Sonipat GA.

The  authorized  CGD  entities  also  supply  natural  gas  to  customers  in  industrial  sector  in  their respective  GAs  as  per  the  demand  and  techno-commercial  viability.The  authorized  entities  have informed  that  they  have  laid  adequate  infrastructure  to  connect  industrial  areas  within  their  GAs. GGL hasprovided 321 PNG (Industrial) connections and HPCL has provided 25 PNG (Industrial) connections in their respective GAs.

Setting  up  of  natural  gas-based  industrial  units  is  a  commercial  decision  of  individual  entity/ entrepreneurs  and  Government  does  not  maintain  data  on  proposals  received  or  approved  for establishment of such industrial units.

Development  of  gas-based  industries  across  the  country  (including  in  Sonipat)  forms  part  of  the broader objective of increasing the share of natural gas in  India's  energy  basket.  Government  has taken  several  measures  to  promote  use  of  natural  gas  and  create  an  enabling  environment  for industries. These, inter-alia, include expansion of National Gas Grid Pipeline, expansion of City Gas Distribution  (CGD)  network,  setting  up  of  Liquefied  Natural  Gas  (LNG)  Terminals,  reforms  in domestic gas pricing  such  as  marketing  and  pricing  freedom  with  a  ceiling  price  to  gas  produced from  high  pressure/high  temperature  areas,  deep  water  &  ultra-deep  waterand  from  coal  seamsto enhance  price  stability  and  supply  predictability,  Sustainable  Alternative  Towards  Affordable Transportation (SATAT) initiatives to promote Compressed Bio Gas (CBG).

Further, PNGRB has rationalised the Unified Tariff by reducing tariff zones from three to two and notified transportation tariffs of Rs. 54/MMBTU for Zone-1 (up to 300 km) and Rs. 102.86/MMBTU for Zone-2 (beyond 300 km), effective from 01.01.2026which improves affordability and competitiveness of natural gas for industrial consumers.

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