Government Notifies Order To Strengthen Natural Gas Infrastructure

26 Mar 2026 CW Team

The order is expected to facilitate expansion of piped natural gas (PNG) networks and improve last-mile connectivity to households, transport and industrial users. It envisages faster rollout of city gas distribution (CGD) systems and trunk pipelines and aims to provide seamless access for authorised entities to lay and expand lines. Consumer-centric measures include time-bound provision of PNG connections and flexibility where physical connectivity is not technically feasible.

The reform introduces standardised processes, timelines and charges to reduce ambiguity and arbitrariness in approvals, and it prescribes defined compensation and restoration mechanisms such as dig-and-restore or dig-and-pay to minimise disputes with local authorities. Time-bound approvals with deemed clearance provisions will shorten procedural delays and reduce compliance burden through simplified documentation. Operational safeguards, including calibrated bank guarantee requirements, are designed to ensure accountability while avoiding excessive financial burden on developers.

The government says the measure will strengthen energy security and diversify the fuel mix, supporting a transition to a cleaner gas-based economy. Improved regulatory certainty and faster approvals are expected to boost investor confidence and catalyse infrastructure investment in urban and semi-urban areas. Wider adoption of natural gas for cooking, transport and industry is anticipated to contribute to better air quality and lower emissions while supporting economic growth.

The Government of India, through the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, has notified the Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution Order, 2026 under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and put it into immediate effect. The order establishes a streamlined, time-bound framework for laying, building, operating and expanding pipeline infrastructure and seeks to address delays in approvals and access to land that have hindered investment. It presents a comprehensive, transparent and investor-friendly regime to accelerate development of gas distribution networks across jurisdictions. The order is expected to facilitate expansion of piped natural gas (PNG) networks and improve last-mile connectivity to households, transport and industrial users. It envisages faster rollout of city gas distribution (CGD) systems and trunk pipelines and aims to provide seamless access for authorised entities to lay and expand lines. Consumer-centric measures include time-bound provision of PNG connections and flexibility where physical connectivity is not technically feasible. The reform introduces standardised processes, timelines and charges to reduce ambiguity and arbitrariness in approvals, and it prescribes defined compensation and restoration mechanisms such as dig-and-restore or dig-and-pay to minimise disputes with local authorities. Time-bound approvals with deemed clearance provisions will shorten procedural delays and reduce compliance burden through simplified documentation. Operational safeguards, including calibrated bank guarantee requirements, are designed to ensure accountability while avoiding excessive financial burden on developers. The government says the measure will strengthen energy security and diversify the fuel mix, supporting a transition to a cleaner gas-based economy. Improved regulatory certainty and faster approvals are expected to boost investor confidence and catalyse infrastructure investment in urban and semi-urban areas. Wider adoption of natural gas for cooking, transport and industry is anticipated to contribute to better air quality and lower emissions while supporting economic growth.

Infrastructure Urban

07 May 2026

Vedanta Reports Record Profit in FY26

Vedanta reported its best-ever financial performance in FY26, with profit after tax of Rs 250.96 billion and revenue of Rs 1.74 trillion, supported by operational excellence across businesses. The company delivered nearly 50 per cent total shareholder return and declared a dividend of Rs 34 per share.Vedanta said its net debt-to-EBITDA improved to 0.95x, strengthening financial flexibility. Its demerger, effective 1 May 2026, is aimed at unlocking value by creating focused businesses across aluminium, oil and gas, power, iron and steel, zinc, copper, nickel and ferro alloys.Vedanta Aluminium p..

Infrastructure Energy

07 May 2026

KEC Wins Orders Worth Rs 10.02 Billion

KEC International, an RPG Group company and global infrastructure EPC major, has secured new orders worth Rs 10.02 billion across its key businesses.In Transmission and Distribution, the company has won orders for projects in India and the Americas. These include ±500 kV HVDC transmission lines from a private developer in Western India, 132 kV cabling works from a steel producer in Eastern India, and the supply of towers, hardware and poles in the Americas.The renewables business has secured an order for a 100+ MW wind project in Southern India from a private developer. In transportation, KEC..

Infrastructure Urban

07 May 2026

Hindustan Zinc Opens Cath Lab in Udaipur

Hindustan Zinc recently inaugurated a state-of-the-art Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory at Rabindranath Tagore Hospital, Udaipur. The facility was inaugurated by Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh, in the presence of local MLAs, RNT Hospital leadership and senior Hindustan Zinc officials.The Cath Lab follows an MoU signed earlier between Hindustan Zinc and RNT Hospital for the redevelopment and upgradation of the hospital into a future-ready, multi-speciality healthcare facility. Equipped with advanced cardiac technology, it will support minimally invasiv..