Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
Domestic piped natural gas (PNG) supply has commenced in the city, with plans to extend connections to one lakh households in phases. However, there appears to be no visible momentum from BPCL to meet the June 30 target for providing one lakh connections. While the government has set June 30 as the deadline to apply and mandated the use of PNG where available, confusion prevails among residents.
Officials clarified that the June 30 deadline applies only to households where BPCL has already laid pipelines up to the doorstep for connection. At present, around 3,000 households are receiving piped gas supply in areas including Garkheda, Gajanan Maharaj Temple vicinity, Jyotinagar, Bansilalnagar and Beed Bypass. Pipeline supply is also operational in parts of Beed Bypass and Waluj Mahanagar-1.
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PNG kits installed, but no gas pipeline
In municipal zones 5, 8 and 9, PNG kits have been installed in several homes, but the main gas supply pipeline is yet to be laid. In Kumbhephal, Bajajnagar and Waluj Mahanagar-1, a total of 12,142 connections have been initiated, of which around 3,000 within municipal limits are active. BPCL claims that a 250-km pipeline network will ultimately cater to one lakh households.
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Pipeline work underway
Around 60 new connections are being released daily. Pipeline work is currently ongoing in zones 5, 7, 8 and 9, with efforts to complete major stretches within the next two months. Laying of pipelines near railway crossings across the city is still pending, said Manoj Jadhav, BPCL representative. District Supply Officer Pravin Phulari stated that the June 30 deadline applies only in areas where pipeline infrastructure is in place and gas supply is available. In locations where BPCL infrastructure has not yet been developed, residents will have no option other than LPG cylinders.