Govt Directs Faster Processing Of City Gas Projects
New Delhi: The government has stepped up efforts to streamline gas distribution and ease supply pressures by directing faster processing of city gas projects, while increasing the allocation of commercial LPG to key sectors in the challenging geopolitical environment. The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) has instructed its offices to eliminate City Gas Distribution (CGD) practices within 10 days in a bid to accelerate the rollout of piped natural gas (PNG), an official statement said.
Commercial LPG consumers in major cities and urban areas have also been advised to switch to PNG as part of a wider strategy to reduce dependence on liquefied petroleum gas.
While it was stated that the domestic LPG supply remained stable, no interruptions were reported in distributorships and there were normal delivery methods throughout the country, it was stated that most of the deliveries were made through the Delivery Authentication Code (DAC) and panic reservations decreased.
On the commercial LPG side, the government gradually increased LPG allocations.
Following the earlier restoration of 20 per cent supply, an additional allocation of 10 per cent due to PNG expansion reforms was announced on 18 March. The additional allocation of 20 percent became clear on March 21, increasing the total commercial LPG supply to 50 percent.
The statement said that the latest increase has given priority to sectors such as restaurants, dabas, hotels, industrial canteens, food processing units, dairy establishments, community kitchens and subsidized food outlets run by state governments and local bodies, and that arrangements have also been made for 5 kg cylinders for migrant workers.
Around 20 states and Union Territories have implemented the revised allocation guidelines, while in the remaining areas, public sector oil marketing companies are supplying commercial LPG. Approximately 15,440 tonnes of LPG were lifted by commercial establishments in the last eight days.
Educational institutions and hospitals, which account for almost half of the total commercial LPG allocation, continue to be a priority.
Despite global uncertainties affecting supply, the government has stated that domestic availability remains under control as efforts continue to transition urban consumers to PNG.
