Vadodara Gas Connection Backlog Soars to 5,000 Amid Surge in Demand
In Vadodara, residents like Gaurang Rajput from Baranpura have endured lengthy waits for piped natural gas (PNG) connections, with some applications pending for over two years. Rajput finally received his connection this month after persistent follow-ups with Vadodara Gas Ltd (VGL), highlighting a growing crisis in the city's gas distribution network.
Backlog and Rising Applications Strain Infrastructure
As of March 16, VGL was grappling with a backlog of approximately 5,000 connection applications. The situation has worsened due to a sharp increase in new applications, stretching the resources of this city gas distribution (CGD) joint venture between Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) and Gail Gas Ltd. Under normal conditions, VGL typically takes about three months to provide connections in societies and apartments where the gas network is already established.
Rajput reported that delays in his area were attributed to the need for replacing ageing pipelines laid during the initial phase of city gas distribution by VMC, which are necessary to ensure adequate gas pressure. However, delays are not limited to older areas; even in recently developed localities like Gotri, residents have been waiting for nearly three months for new connections.
Impact of Ministry Directive on Demand
The backlog is expected to grow further following a March 24 order by the Union petroleum ministry. This directive mandates that households in areas with existing PNG pipelines must take connections unless technically infeasible. Such households will no longer be supplied with LPG cylinders three months after receiving a written intimation from the PNG company to shift to piped gas.
To cope with the increased pressure, VGL has deployed additional teams, boosting its daily connection output from around 50 to over 125. Despite this effort, demand has skyrocketed from an average of 52 applications per day to nearly 200, with some days seeing up to 400 applications. Swapnil Shukla, head of the PNG department at VGL, stated, "VGL has pressed more teams into action to ensure that all new applications and the backlog are taken care of." He added that the company lacks a clear estimate of how many households in its network area still lack PNG connections.
Challenges Extend Beyond Vadodara
Similar issues have emerged in other towns across Gujarat. In Godhra, residents have been waiting for over a month for gas connections, with sources citing labour shortages as a key factor. In one society, residents are resisting new connections because neither the CGD company nor the municipality has assured them that roads dug up for pipeline laying will be restored.
Sources from CGD companies in Ahmedabad explained that timelines vary widely based on infrastructure readiness. In areas with existing networks, connections can typically be activated within 10 days or less. For apartment complexes requiring limited last-mile extension, the process may take up to 30 days. However, in bungalow societies where extensive pipeline laying is needed, timelines can extend to 60-90 days due to the complexity of network expansion.
Statewide Surge Affects Multiple Operators
The surge in demand is also impacting Gujarat Gas Ltd, which operates in 21 geographical areas (GAs) across the state. A company official noted, "We have seen a surge in new applications after the new rules across all the GAs. We are working on top priority and handling multiple factors simultaneously. While pipeline laying is underway on one side, we are also developing household connection infrastructure to speed up the process."
Voices from the Ground
Gaurang Rajput, Vadodara: "I had to wait more than two years to get a piped gas connection. I completed all formalities from my end, but the process was delayed as the company wanted to replace some old lines in the area."
Nayan Pathak, Godhra: "Neither the gas company nor the municipality has given us clarity on who will restore the road after it is dug up for the pipeline. We applied for connections for all 17 houses in the society, but have not got them yet."
