Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, has emphasised that the government's long-term strategic planning in the energy sector is now yielding concrete, everyday advantages for Indian citizens. He stated that the ultimate measure of a policy's success is not found in announcements but in how effortlessly it integrates into and supports daily living.
Planning Tested in Real-World Conditions
In a detailed post on social media platform X, Minister Puri elaborated that India's energy strategy undergoes a continuous real-world assessment. This test happens in homes, on roads, and across workplaces, where forecasts and plans meet the reality of lived experience. He pointed to the widespread adoption of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections as a prime example of this seamless integration.
The minister revealed that approximately 1.58 crore (15.8 million) kitchens nationwide now receive PNG directly, eliminating the recurring hassle of booking LPG cylinder refills. This shift represents a significant move towards greater convenience and the use of a cleaner cooking fuel for millions of households.
Infrastructure Growth Keeping Pace with Demand
Minister Puri also underscored the rapid expansion of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure as a critical indicator of proactive planning. He noted that the country currently has 8,428 operational CNG stations, providing cleaner transportation fuel to a growing number of vehicles.
The government has set an ambitious target to more than double this network, aiming for 18,336 CNG stations by the year 2030. This planned expansion is designed to ensure wider access to affordable and eco-friendly fuel for motorists across India, keeping pace with rising demand.
Strengthening the National Energy Backbone
Another major pillar of the energy strategy highlighted by the minister is the significant growth of the national gas pipeline grid. He provided data showing that the pipeline length has expanded from roughly 15,000 kilometres in 2014 to 25,429 kilometres at present.
This interconnected network is set to grow even further, with plans to extend it to 33,475 kilometres by 2030. This expansion is crucial for strengthening the country's energy connectivity, ensuring supply readiness, and enhancing overall energy security.
In his communication, Minister Puri credited the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, framing the approach as one of pre-emptive action. "Energy systems cannot wait for pressure to appear. They must be ready before demand peaks," he stated. The underlying philosophy is that effective planning is defined by the smooth, uninterrupted flow of daily life, where reliable energy is a given, not a promise.
