Abhijit Chaliha
abhijitchaliha1409@gmail.com
The ongoing conflict in West Asia has once again highlighted the vulnerabilities of the global energy market, prompting governments to explore cleaner, more affordable and domestically available fuel alternatives. In Assam, the State government has intensified efforts to expand Piped Natural Gas (PNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure as part of a broader strategy to promote a gas-based economy and reduce dependence on conventional fuels. To speed up the expansion of City Gas Distribution (CGD) networks, the government has introduced a series of reforms aimed at eliminating bureaucratic delays. Urban local bodies have been instructed to grant all permissions related to CGD projects within 24 hours. Furthermore, if District Magistrates fail to issue digging permissions within the stipulated timeframe, the approvals will be treated as granted automatically. The government has also urged authorities to waive road restoration and permission fees that often increase project costs and slow implementation. CGD entities are being allowed to restore public assets at their own expense after completing the necessary work, ensuring quicker project execution. A State-level task force has been established to closely monitor the progress of PNG and CNG expansion.
The task force conducts regular reviews and has directed concerned agencies to submit weekly progress reports to ensure that targets are met. According to Assam Gas Company Limited (AGCL) Managing Director Gokul Chandra Swargiary, the company has been assigned a target of providing 100 new gas connections every day. Currently, AGCL is achieving around 84 connections daily and expects the numbers to rise further in the coming weeks. AGCL has already completed nearly 70,000 PNG connections across six districts of Upper Assam, demonstrating significant progress in extending access to cleaner fuel. Swargiary said the supply of natural gas remains adequate despite uncertainties in the international energy market. One of the strongest arguments in favour of PNG is its affordability. With the price of an LPG cylinder hovering around Rs 1,100 without subsidy, PNG can reduce household cooking fuel expenses by nearly half. The fuel is also supplied directly through pipelines, eliminating the need for cylinder bookings and deliveries. However, the initial installation cost remains a concern for some households. To make the transition easier, provisions have been introduced allowing Below Poverty Line (BPL) consumers to pay connection charges in instalments. The government believes that expanding PNG and CNG infrastructure will not only provide relief from rising fuel costs but also contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing carbon emissions. With policy support, simplified approvals and continuous monitoring, Assam is taking important steps towards building a cleaner, more secure and affordable energy future.
