IGL Drives Major PNG Network Expansion Across Delhi-NCR Region
Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGL) is aggressively expanding its Piped Natural Gas (PNG) infrastructure across Delhi-NCR as part of a strategic push to rapidly grow its user base and reduce dependence on imported LPG. The company's chief executive, Kamal Kishore Chatiwal, revealed ambitious targets for daily connection installations, highlighting how global energy supply disruptions have accelerated this transition.
Daily Connection Rates Surge Amid Government Push
The expansion initiative comes against the backdrop of Middle East conflicts that have disrupted traditional energy supplies, strengthening the government's resolve to promote PNG as a viable alternative to LPG. According to Chatiwal, IGL has dramatically increased its daily PNG connection rate from 600-700 connections per day to an impressive 2,100-2,200 connections daily. The company's ultimate goal is to reach 5,000 connections per day as infrastructure development continues.
"We are targeting 4.85 lakh new PNG connections in the next 90 days across all our operational geographical areas," Chatiwal stated, emphasizing the scale of the expansion program.
Commercial and Institutional Focus Areas
IGL's expansion strategy extends beyond residential consumers to include commercial establishments, particularly fast-food chains that faced significant challenges during recent LPG supply disruptions. The company has already connected over 100 outlets of two major fast-food chains with PNG infrastructure, with a similar number currently under execution. In total, approximately 400 commercial outlets have been identified for PNG connection.
Institutional expansion represents another key focus area. IGL is working to extend PNG supply to all police stations across Delhi, with police canteens and cafeterias expected to fully transition from LPG or mixed usage systems to piped natural gas. This shift aims to eliminate the logistical challenges associated with cylinder refills and storage.
Infrastructure Milestones and Geographic Reach
One significant development involves Connaught Place, New Delhi's central commercial hub, which previously remained outside the PNG network due to regulatory hurdles. Following the relaxation of norms, officials confirm that pipeline infrastructure has already reached the outer circle of this important commercial district.
IGL's city gas infrastructure now spans an extensive network including Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Rewari, Karnal, Kaithal, Fatehpur, Ajmer, Pali, Rajsamand, Hamirpur, Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, Banda, and parts of Kanpur and Meerut. The company operates a pipeline network exceeding 28,000 kilometers in length.
Current Operations and LPG-Free Zone Initiatives
The company currently supplies PNG to over three million households and operates more than 950 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations serving over 2.1 million vehicles. In Delhi specifically, IGL is focusing on achieving complete PNG penetration in select localities with the goal of establishing LPG-free zones. Areas such as New Moti Bagh, East Kidwai Nagar, and West Kidwai Nagar have already been fully converted to PNG-only systems.
Government mandates have further accelerated this transition. Last month, authorities required households with PNG access in designated areas to shift away from LPG completely. Consumers with both energy options must surrender their LPG connections within 90 days, failing which cylinder supplies will be discontinued. Exemptions apply only where PNG connectivity is technically unfeasible, subject to official clearance procedures.
Energy Security and Domestic Production Advantages
Chatiwal emphasized India's sufficient natural gas availability, noting that approximately 92 million standard cubic meters per day of natural gas is produced domestically. Consumption through city gas networks, including both PNG and CNG, accounts for less than one-third of this domestic output, leaving substantial room for expansion.
In contrast, LPG continues to depend heavily on imports, with a major share sourced from Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia and Qatar. India consumes about 31.3 million tonnes of LPG annually, with domestic production meeting roughly 40% of total demand. The remaining 60% must be imported, with nearly 90% of shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz—a critical global energy route that faced disruptions during recent Middle East conflicts.
The strategic expansion of PNG infrastructure represents a significant step toward energy security, reduced import dependence, and more stable energy supplies for both residential and commercial consumers across the Delhi-NCR region and beyond.
