LPG shortage fails to boost PNG connections in Hubballi

Hubballi: Even after the LPG shortage led to delays in getting cylinder refills, the number of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections in the city has not increased significantly, as the time required to obtain a PNG connection and the various charges involved are discouraging citizens.

After the war between the US, Israel, and Iran broke out, there has been a shortage of LPG cylinders in the city, which affected commercial establishments, including hotels.

Though the situation has come under control, the price of cylinders, both domestic and commercial, has increased. Yet, the people in the city are not ready to switch over to PNG. Earlier, there were 21,630 PNG domestic connections in the city.

After the LPG issue arose, only 500 new collections were taken by the public, which is just a 2.3% rise. According to the Indian Oil-Adani Gas Private Limited (IOAGPL) sources, there are more than 1.5 lakh households in the twin cities, of which only 22,000 houses have PNG connections. The IOAGPL executives were expecting more than 10% new connections this time, but people have not turned up to PNG despite the LPG supply issue.

Delay in connections

Once a person applies for a PNG connection, it takes at least two to three months to get the connection to their house, which is one of the main reasons for slow turn-up to PNG. Individuals have to apply for the connection online, and then the service-providing company executive will contact the individual for documentation and other formalities. The service provider says they will give a connection within 90 days.

To get a connection, applicants have to pay Rs 7,118, which includes Rs 6,000 deposit, and the PNG connection should be near the applicant’s house. The service provider will give a 15-metre pipeline free of cost, and additional distance will be charged. People who already have LPG connections do not show interest in shifting to PNG because of the cost and easy availability of LPG.

9 years on

The project started in 2017, and the IOAGPL has already laid 63 km of steel pipeline and 300 km of Medium Density Polyethene (MDPE) pipeline in the twin cities by investing around Rs 200 crore. But the people in the twin cities, who have been using LPG cylinders for domestic, commercial and industrial purposes, are not showing interest in the PNG connection.

According to the IOAGPL executive, the laid pipelines are capable of giving 60,000 connections. When the new facility is introduced, it takes time for people to understand the new technology. Now people are getting used to it, and they are getting queries on
a regular basis.

Though there is government order directing all departments to give approval on priority basis for PNG connection we have been facing significant delays in getting permission for land digging road cutting and other required approvals from various departments. Hence it takes time to give new connection. In this regard talks will be initiated with the district administration to expedite the process.

Vinod Papal, Dharwad asset head IOAGPL