Maharashtra Govt Mandates 24/7 PNG Helplines And Expansion Plan Amid Energy Crisis
State directs 24/7 helplines and PNG expansion to ease supply pressure amid global energy disruptions.
The Maharashtra government has directed city gas distribution companies to strengthen piped natural gas (PNG) infrastructure and activate 24/7 consumer helplines, in response to disruptions in global energy supply chains linked to the ongoing West Asia crisis.
In a Government Resolution (GR) issued by the Food and Civil Supplies Department on Friday, the state instructed gas distribution firms to expand outreach mechanisms and ensure wider PNG connectivity across urban and semi-urban areas. The move comes amid concerns over tightening liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) availability due to instability in global energy markets.
The GR emphasized that city gas distribution companies must immediately operationalise round-the-clock helplines to assist consumers with queries and applications related to PNG connections. It also called for an increase in the number of helpdesks and service centres in proportion to city population and rising demand, aiming to reduce bottlenecks in service delivery.
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Further, the government directed companies to expand ward-level centres to facilitate both online and offline applications for new PNG connections. Housing societies and residential buildings have been encouraged to submit collective or individual applications to accelerate the rollout of pipeline-based gas supply.
To improve coordination, the GR instructed municipal corporations, district supply officers, and gas distribution companies to set up dedicated information and assistance centres. It also mandated regular district-level monitoring of implementation, including weekly progress reporting on PNG pipeline expansion and new connections.
Under the directive, each city gas distribution company must appoint district-level nodal officers to oversee execution and submit weekly reports, which will be reviewed at the state level every Monday. The government stated that these measures are intended to ensure uninterrupted household energy access while reducing dependence on LPG during global supply uncertainties. Officials added that the directives will remain in force until the international geopolitical situation stabilises and energy supply chains return to normal.
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