Gandhinagar, March 13: The Gujarat government announced on Friday that restaurants, hotels, educational institutions, and social-religious organizations located in areas with an existing urban gas pipeline network can now obtain new piped natural gas (PNG) connections immediately upon request.
This decision was made during a high-level review meeting on the status of PNG and petroleum products in the state, chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. Energy and Petrochemicals Minister Rishikesh Patel and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Raman Solanki were also present at the meeting.
Officials stated, “The Chief Minister has approved that institutions requiring new PNG connections in areas where the urban gas distribution pipeline network is available will be provided gas with immediate effect.”
A review of the current supply of natural gas in the state revealed that domestic users receiving gas through the pipeline currently have an adequate supply of PNG.
Senior officials, including Chief Secretary M.K. Das, were also present. Das leads a high-level committee formed by the state government to coordinate with the central government.
Earlier in the day, the state government dismissed opposition claims regarding a shortage of LPG and other cooking gas due to ongoing conflicts in West Asia. Speaking in the state assembly, Minister Solanki confirmed that there are currently over four lakh LPG cylinders available in the state. He stated, “As of today, we have 416,504 LPG cylinders in stock.”
He also assured that the state government is closely monitoring the situation in light of recent developments in the region.
On Wednesday, spokesperson Minister Jitu Vaghani warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone found involved in the black marketing or hoarding of LPG cylinders and other cooking fuels. He urged citizens to remain vigilant against rumors and misinformation, stating that the government would take strong action against those attempting to exploit the situation for illegal gains.