Kanpur: In a review meeting of city gas distribution network expansion and gas pipeline on Saturday, district magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh directed that supply of piped natural gas (PNG) to domestic and commercial consumers be ensured. To this end, no obstacles of any kind should arise in laying of gas pipelines or in supply-related operations. All departments concerned must work in mutual coordination to complete these projects within the stipulated timeframe, he said.He said if any issues arise during the expansion of the city gas distribution network, they should be resolved through the district-level committee. The process for issuing approvals and no objection certificates (NOCs) by various departments should be made simple and transparent. Issues that could not be resolved at the district level should be referred to the state-level committee, accompanied by recommendations of the committee. During the meeting, discussions were also held regarding increasing the number of PNG connections, encouraging domestic and commercial usage, as well as matters related to pipeline taxation, land use and other subjects.He said Torrent Gas Company is operating in rural areas of the district тАФ such as Ghatampur and Bilhaur тАФ while CUGLтАЩs network was operational in the urban areas. Additionally, Indraprastha Gas Ltd was also expanding its pipeline network in other regions, including Bithoor.Currently, CUGL serves approximately 131,000 domestic consumers, along with 455 commercial and 152 industrial connections, with significant potential for further growth. DM said that, in accordance with the guidelines of the Govt of India, gas supply via cylinders may be discontinued within three months of the issuance of a notification in areas where gas pipelines were already laid. In this regard, the municipal corporation, district panchayat, public works department, KESCO, transport department and other concerned departments within the district have already granted the necessary permissions.Work on the expansion of the pipeline network was also currently underway within the Cantonment area. Appealing to the residents of the district, the District Magistrate urged them to utilise PNG connections wherever they are available. Thr facility is simple, safe and economical, involving a one-time refundable security deposit of approximately Rs 5,000. Under this meter-based system, consumers pay only for the amount of gas they actually consume. Instructions were also issued to conduct regular reviews of the decisions taken during the meeting.
