PNGRB retracts announcements designating 54 city gas networks as common carriers
OIL & GAS

PNGRB retracts announcements designating 54 city gas networks as common carriers

In an effort to put an end to a legal battle between the regulator and the impacted city gas distributors, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has withdrawn notices to declare city gas networks in 54 licensed areas as typical carriers.

The PNGRB revised its April guideline that had formed the basis for notices to 54 city gas licensees in 2021 with a new one, repealing the prior one that had stated networks to be common carriers. The agency stated that it made the decision to remove all of those notices because the previous guideline was revoked.

Regarding the notices, city gas license holders have been suing the PNGRB in court. Companies will immediately withdraw their cases if notices are withdrawn, according to sources with knowledge of the situation. However, the people said that the regulator may once more take action to designate the networks in the licensed areas that have long past their exclusivity period as common or contract carriers. This would be required to promote fair competition among suppliers, lower consumer costs, and increase the nation's gas consumption. India aims to raise the proportion of natural gas from the current 6% to 15% in the main energy mix by 2030. Any further legal challenge to the PNGRB's declaration of the city gas network as a common carrier could come from the argument that licensee profits would be reduced if the monopoly were to be given up.

In an effort to put an end to a legal battle between the regulator and the impacted city gas distributors, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has withdrawn notices to declare city gas networks in 54 licensed areas as typical carriers. The PNGRB revised its April guideline that had formed the basis for notices to 54 city gas licensees in 2021 with a new one, repealing the prior one that had stated networks to be common carriers. The agency stated that it made the decision to remove all of those notices because the previous guideline was revoked. Regarding the notices, city gas license holders have been suing the PNGRB in court. Companies will immediately withdraw their cases if notices are withdrawn, according to sources with knowledge of the situation. However, the people said that the regulator may once more take action to designate the networks in the licensed areas that have long past their exclusivity period as common or contract carriers. This would be required to promote fair competition among suppliers, lower consumer costs, and increase the nation's gas consumption. India aims to raise the proportion of natural gas from the current 6% to 15% in the main energy mix by 2030. Any further legal challenge to the PNGRB's declaration of the city gas network as a common carrier could come from the argument that licensee profits would be reduced if the monopoly were to be given up.

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Union Minister Manohar Lal Reviews Rajasthan Power Sector in Jaipur

Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Manohar Lal, reviewed the power sector scenario for Rajasthan at Jaipur. Chief Minister of Rajasthan was present in the meeting. The meeting was also attended by senior officials of the State, Ministry of Power, Govt. of India (GoI), and Power Sector CPSEs. The meeting started with a presentation on the brief overview of the Power Sector scenario in the State. In the course of presentation, the achievements of the State Energy Department were highlighted. Also, major challenges and possible solutions were discussed. In his address, Manoha..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Manohar Lal Visits Kakrapar Atomic Power Project

Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, was on a two-day visit to Gujarat on 27 and 28 April 2025. During the visit, he chaired the Consultative Committee meeting of the Ministry of Power on the development of nuclear power generation, held meetings with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Energy Minister Kanu Desai, Union Minister Manohar Lal also visited the Kakrapar Atomic Power Project, and paid a visit to solar PV Assembly line facility at Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU). A meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Power was held on 28..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Unique Tie-up Between Apex Govt Research Body and Private Foundation

In a significant move to accelerate the transformation of India’s research ecosystem, the "Anusandhan National Research Foundation" (ANRF) and the "Wadhwani Foundation" exchanged a landmark "Letter of Intent" at the "Innovation Conclave" "YUGM" held at Bharat Mandapam here in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Science and Technology Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh and Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan. The partnership signals a first-of-its-kind collaboration between a government-backed apex research institution and a philanthropic private foundation, aimed at co-fu..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?