Government Urges States to Expedite Piped Gas Projects Amid LPG Shortage

For Prelims, the target of achieving 12 crore household PNG connections by 2030 is crucial. Currently, 1.16 crore households have PNG connections. Examiners might set a trap by confusing the current number with the target number, or by asking about the percentage of natural gas in the energy mix (target 15% by 2030 from 6.7%).

The urgent push is primarily due to a prevailing shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). This shortage is directly attributed to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which disrupts global supply chains and increases the cost and availability of imported LPG. India relies significantly on imported fossil fuels, including LPG, making it vulnerable to such geopolitical events. By encouraging a shift to PNG, the government aims to reduce dependence on imported LPG, ensure greater energy stability, and alleviate pressure on existing LPG supplies.

LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) is stored in cylinders and delivered to households, requiring refilling. PNG (Piped Natural Gas) is supplied directly through pipelines, offering a continuous supply without the need for booking or storage. The government encourages a shift to PNG because it:

• •Reduces reliance on imported LPG, enhancing energy security.
• •Provides a more stable and uninterrupted supply.
• •Eliminates the logistical challenges of cylinder distribution and storage.
• •Is generally more economical in the long run for consumers.
• •Aligns with India's goal to increase the share of natural gas in its energy mix.

Rapid CGD expansion offers several benefits and challenges.

• •Benefits: Economic growth through infrastructure development and job creation; improved public health by reducing indoor air pollution from traditional fuels; potential for cleaner urban air quality; and a step towards a lower-carbon economy by transitioning from LPG (a fossil fuel) to natural gas, which burns cleaner.
• •Challenges: Significant capital investment required for pipeline laying; land acquisition and right-of-way issues; coordination complexities between central, state, and local bodies; potential disruption to urban life during construction; and ensuring equitable access, especially for low-income households who might find initial connection costs prohibitive, despite schemes like PMUY for LPG.

The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is a key scheme focused on providing LPG connections to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households, aiming for clean cooking fuel access. While PMUY primarily deals with LPG, the current push for PNG expansion complements the broader goal of clean energy access. UPSC might test the interplay by asking:

• •How the shift to PNG impacts the beneficiaries of PMUY in areas where CGD networks are available.
• •The government's strategy to balance LPG subsidies with PNG infrastructure development.
• •The role of different ministries (e.g., Petroleum and Natural Gas) in promoting both fuels.

The Centre's directive exemplifies cooperative federalism where the Union government sets a national priority (energy security, clean fuel transition) and urges states to facilitate its implementation by expediting approvals and execution. While the Centre provides the policy framework and impetus, states are crucial for on-ground execution, especially concerning land acquisition, local clearances, and coordination with City Gas Distribution (CGD) firms.

• •Implications for future infrastructure development: This approach highlights the necessity of Centre-state collaboration for large-scale national infrastructure projects.
• •It can streamline project approvals and reduce delays if states actively cooperate.
• •It emphasizes the shared responsibility in achieving national development goals, particularly in sectors requiring extensive local-level implementation like energy and urban infrastructure.