By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
The task of providing piped natural gas (PNG) in India has been largely assigned to GAIL (India). But the pace of the PNG project is dead slow particularly in cities like Dehradun where the recent shortage of LPG cylinders has caused hardships among the people.
GAIL Gas Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of GAIL (India) Limited was incorporated on May 27, 2008 which is operating in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Karnataka. Further, Joint venture companies of GAIL Gas Limited are implementing city gas distribution (CGD) projects in Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Goa.
Experts said one big reason behind the recent LPG crisis is the Gail Gas company’s inability to complete the PNG project in Dehradun and other areas in India in time. The project has hit roadblock in Dehradun. Gail Gas officials could not be contacted for comments.
In 2019, GAIL has announced the launch of the PNG project to supply three lakh households in Dehradun district under the city gas distribution project. Gail had stated that In the coming five to six months, the company will start supplying piped natural gas to 5,000 households in Chakrata, Dehradun, Doiwala, Kalsi, Rishikesh, Tyuni and Vikasnagar areas of Dehradun district.
The company’s target was to cover three lakh households spread over an area of 3,088 square km in the district at a cost of Rs 1,500 crore.
According to an estimate, GAIL and its CGD Joint Venture Companies / Subsidiaries have provided PNG connections for around 40.94 Lakhs households.
As PNG which is cheaper and more convenient than LPG cylinders gains popularity India in recent years, some state governments like Karnataka have drafted a new policy on the CGD aimed at clearing hurdles that hinder expansion of the gas pipeline network and increase gas utilization.