Maharashtra extends gas firms' PNG concessions till March 31, 2027

The Maharashtra government has extended the validity of several concessions given to gas companies, to speed up the laying of piped natural gas (PNG) connections to homes. The concessions will now remain in force till March 31, 2027. Earlier, the deadline was June 30, 2026.

The concessions include granting licences within 24 hours, waiving certain fees and allowing the companies to work round the clock. The decision has been issued by the Urban Development Department.

The City Gas Distribution (CGD) network is being expanded rapidly, in line with directions from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Centre, so that cooking gas reaches people easily across the state. Under this, the state government has made licensing easier on ease-of-doing-business lines and announced essential concessions such as waiving the fees for some licences.

One reason for the move is the availability of LPG. The global geopolitical situation, which is affecting the energy supply chain, has placed limits on LPG availability. In this context, the Urban Development Department has directed all municipal corporations and municipal councils to speed up the expansion of PNG connections.

Under the government's decision, pipeline permits pending with municipal corporations, municipal councils, the Public Works Department, the Water Resources Department and other authorities will be treated as approved. New permits that come in will have to be cleared within 24 hours.

Roads are dug up to lay gas pipelines. The government has also decided to waive the fees that the state government and local self-government bodies charge for repairing these roads and for various permits. Where fuel supply companies can restore public property at their own cost, permission will be given and the necessary guarantee will be taken. Where it is not possible for companies to do so at their own cost, they have been directed to pay the fee fixed under the Centre's notification.

In major relief to gas supply companies, they have been allowed to work 24 hours. To improve coordination among the various departments across the state, the Controller, Rationing Distribution, and the Director, Civil Supplies, have been made Maharashtra's nodal officer.

The government says the decision will bring domestic natural gas to people in the state faster and also boost the expansion of infrastructure in the energy sector.