The Gujarat government announced the provision of 40,000 new domestic PNG (D-PNG) gas connections and 13,000 reconnections within 2.5 months to ensure a continuous gas supply amidst global energy uncertainties. A state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel reviewed these developments in Gandhinagar. The meeting emphasized the availability of commercial and PNG gas in Gujarat, focusing on new connections.
Government spokesperson Jitu Vaghani highlighted Gujarat Energy Ltd’s efforts in expanding domestic gas supply to maintain uninterrupted D-PNG gas distribution for households. Since March 1, GEL has facilitated 40,000 new D-PNG connections and restored 13,000 connections, along with issuing 500 new commercial gas connections. All city gas distribution companies in Gujarat collectively provided around 85,000 D-PNG connections and 1,100 commercial connections.
Vaghani mentioned that priority gas connections were allocated to public institutions like hospitals, hostels, schools, colleges, and factory canteens by the state government. GEL alone provided 110 priority connections, while other companies issued an additional 225 connections. The government also addressed the situation in Morbi’s ceramic industry, which faced disruptions earlier in the year due to rising raw material prices and transportation costs.
The state government, under the guidance of the Chief Minister, swiftly restored industrial operations in Morbi despite international instability. Vaghani highlighted that GEL’s strategic gas distribution planning facilitated the revival of over 670 factories in Morbi within a short period. Currently, approximately 865 industrial units in Morbi are connected to GEL’s gas pipeline network, ensuring stable gas supply sourced from markets outside the Middle East.
