Ahmedabad is making a significant shift toward Piped Natural Gas (PNG) as the city confronts ongoing challenges with Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) supplies. In light of these difficulties, PNG has been classified as an essential commodity under the Essential Commodities Act, prompting authorities to prioritize its supply.
Three main suppliers—Adani Gas, Gujarat Gas, and Sabarmati Gas Company—currently provide PNG to the city. To boost the City Gas Distribution (CGD) network, these agencies submitted over 820 applications for Road Opening Permits (ROPs) to lay new pipelines across various zones in Ahmedabad. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) approved all applications, signaling a swift expansion of PNG infrastructure.
Under this initiative, special administrative directives have been put in place to expedite work. For roads that have completed their defect-liability period, permission for roadworks will now be granted by the Additional City Engineer. Meanwhile, areas still under defect liability will see permissions provided by the Deputy Municipal Commissioner.
A notable aspect of this project includes waiving usual road-cutting fees for pipeline work and allowing minimal excavation even on roads undergoing maintenance. Although pipeline agencies are responsible for covering these costs, AMC has committed to handling road reinstatement after work is completed.
Simultaneously, efforts are underway to encourage commercial users such as hotels and restaurants to switch from LPG to PNG connections. A recent meeting with local business associations revealed strong support for this transition; many establishments confirmed they would gradually make the switch.