Gurgaon High-Rise Residents Continue Waiting for PNG Connections
Thousands of families residing in high-rise apartments along Gurgaon's Dwarka Expressway have been left without piped natural gas (PNG) connections for nearly two years, creating significant inconvenience and safety concerns. Approximately 6,500 flats across Sectors 102 and 102A are affected by this prolonged delay in essential utility services.
Safety Concerns and Inconvenience for Residents
With no PNG supply available, numerous families have been forced to rely on traditional LPG cylinders for their cooking and heating needs. Residents have expressed serious concerns about this arrangement, particularly in taller residential towers where cylinders must be manually transported through multiple floors.
"Access to PNG will provide a safer, cleaner and more efficient energy solution while improving the quality of life in the community," emphasized PN Mishra, General Secretary of the Suncity Avenue 102 Residents Welfare Association. "The current situation poses unnecessary risks and inconveniences that modern infrastructure should eliminate."
Permission Delays Stalling Critical Infrastructure
The PNG project has been stalled primarily due to pending Right of Way (RoW) permissions from the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority. These permissions are essential for utility companies to lay pipelines on GMDA-controlled land.
A GMDA official stated that "the team is examining the RoW permission application and the matter will be pursued with the concerned department," but provided no specific timeline for resolution.
Multiple Housing Societies Affected
The delay has impacted at least half a dozen major housing societies in the area, including:
- Imperial Gardens
- Adani Oyster Grande
- Suncity Avenue 102
- Several other residential complexes
While internal pipeline networks have been largely installed within these societies, individual gas connections cannot be activated because Haryana City Gas Limited has not received permission to lay the main gas pipeline on GMDA land.
Resident Frustration Mounts
Kamal Malhotra, a resident of Adani Oyster Grande in Sector 102A, expressed frustration with the situation: "It is unfortunate that residents are running from pillar to post for a basic utility. The pipeline stacks are installed inside buildings, but without the main line, supply cannot start. The lack of coordination between authorities is making residents suffer."
Residents Welfare Associations have formally requested GMDA, as the land-owning authority, to intervene and coordinate with HCGL to grant necessary permissions and clear pending RoW approvals at the earliest possible date.
Utility Company Highlights Systemic Issues
Rahul Chopra, CEO of Haryana City Gas Limited, provided insight into the bureaucratic challenges: "We are following the due process and are complying with all requirements, including paying the applicable charges of nearly Rs 7 lakh per kilometre, which are among the highest in the country. Despite this, permissions have been pending for over eight months."
Chopra highlighted the contrast with other states where HCGL operates: "In many other states across 20 districts pan-India, there are clear policies with defined timelines. Some states even allow deemed approval if no response is given within a stipulated period. Unfortunately, this is the only city where approvals are taking such a long time despite full compliance and readiness to pay charges."
The HCGL CEO emphasized that residents in Gurgaon are particularly ready to adopt PNG, given the city's proximity to Delhi and higher awareness levels about cleaner energy alternatives. However, prolonged delays in right-of-way permissions have prevented timely connections.
"I will be raising this matter at the highest level to seek a time-bound, transparent approval mechanism so that infrastructure development does not suffer and consumers are not deprived of essential services," Chopra concluded, indicating plans to escalate the issue for resolution.
