Bhubaneswar, May 8: The Odisha government is set to expand piped cooking gas (PNG) supply directly to households and establish CNG stations across major cities in the state. The initiative has received cabinet approval, and the Urban Development Department has issued the official policy for city gas distribution.
The project involves an estimated investment of ₹5,100 crore. Under the scheme, approximately 9,09,682 households will receive PNG connections through pipelines, and 271 CNG stations will be established to support the network. The Urban Development Department has been appointed as the nodal agency to implement the policy.
To oversee implementation, the government has formed a State-Level Top Committee chaired by the Chief Secretary and District-Level Review Committees under the District Collectors. These committees have been authorized to operate as single-window approval systems, simplifying permissions for pipeline laying and site preparation. Applications for project approvals will be processed within 7 working days, and if no decision is made within 30 days, the approval will be automatically granted.
The city gas distribution network is expected to attract investment from major companies including GAIL, Gail Gas, BPCL, Adani Total, and Megha Gas, totaling around ₹5,100 crore. The initiative aims to create widespread employment opportunities while accelerating urban infrastructure development. Government land will be leased for 30 years to establish city gas stations and CNG stations.
Under the policy, more than five lakh residents in prominent cities will use CNG in educational institutions and private buses within the next two years. This will significantly reduce urban pollution and enhance environmental safety.
The supply and transportation of PNG and CNG will remain uninterrupted even during emergencies. All government quarters and office buildings will receive PNG connections. Future urban planning and commercial construction approvals will include provisions for PNG pipeline installation.
The policy mandates a “dig, lay, and restore” method for pipeline installation, ensuring roads or other property damaged during the process are repaired at the responsibility of the concerned agency.
This comprehensive move is expected to modernize urban energy supply, promote clean fuel usage, and improve the quality of life across Odisha’s cities.
