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The Print
16-05-2025
- Health
- The Print
Delhi's PNG rollout to 111 villages crucial course correction in India's clean energy drive: Experts
The initiative by the Delhi government in partnership with Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) and other city gas distribution companies aims to replace traditional biomass and LPG use with cleaner, safer, and more affordable piped gas connections. It is part of a phased plan to connect all 357 villages in Delhi to the PNG network by the end of 2025. 'These villages represent pockets that could not transition earlier despite economic opportunities nearby. If it were possible, they would have transitioned by now. These are households with the least socio-economic privileges, making this a crucial equity-favouring initiative,' Balakrishnan told PTI, referring to the Delhi government's latest push to extend PNG supply to the rural areas. New Delhi, May 16 (PTI) Expanding Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections to 111 villages in Delhi's periphery is a significant step towards addressing the needs of communities left behind in India's clean cooking fuel transition, said Kalpana Balakrishnan, Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health in India. The development comes just over a month after Dr Maria Neira, Director of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health at the World Health Organisation (WHO), highlighted in an exclusive interview with PTI the urgent need to scale up LPG subsidy schemes in India. Neira highlighted that India's reliance on biomass fuels such as wood and dung for cooking contributes heavily to indoor air pollution and associated premature deaths, urging Indian authorities to maintain and expand existing clean cooking programmes to reduce health and environmental risks. The Delhi PNG expansion targets over 1 lakh households across the 111 villages, mostly low-income communities that have faced unreliable or no access to clean cooking fuels for a long time. Experts pointed out that these clusters, often excluded from urban clean energy initiatives, lie within Delhi's airshed and contribute significantly to the city's pollution burden. Speaking to PTI, Executive Director at Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Anumita Roy Chowdhury said that the effort is important to not only control rural emissions within Delhi's airshed but also to ensure health security of rural households by reducing their exposure to solid fuel pollution. The CSE's 2024 report India's Transition to E-Cooking revealed that 41 per cent of India's population still relies on solid biomass fuels, which emit around 340 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually – about 13 per cent of the country's greenhouse gas emissions. The report also noted that while the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) expanded access to Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders, it did not guarantee sustained clean cooking transitions for many beneficiaries. Many continue to use mixed fuels due to affordability and supply issues, limiting the scheme's health and environmental impact. 'PNG connectivity, with its pipeline infrastructure, can overcome issues of fuel refilling and access, making a continuous supply of clean fuel possible,' Roy Chowdhury told PTI. 'But affordability, safety awareness, and community support will be key to the sustained use of PNG in these villages.' Noting the gendered impact of clean fuel access, founder of Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group Bharati Chaturvedi said that enabling poor women to access cleaner cooking fuels is vital for women's health and that of their children. 'Indoor air pollution kills thousands monthly in India, and infants often bear the brunt because they stay close to their mothers during cooking,' she told PTI, adding that many women in these peri-urban villages work in informal sectors such as waste collection, domestic work, or vending, where taking time off to navigate subsidy paperwork or installation procedures is challenging. Air pollution contributed to 8.1 million deaths worldwide in 2021, with India and China recording 2.1 million and 2.3 million fatalities, respectively, said a 2024 report by an independent US-based research organisation, in partnership with UNICEF. The report stated that air pollution contributed to the deaths of 1,69,400 children in India under the age of five in 2021 and also said that air pollution was the leading risk factor for deaths in South Asia, followed by high blood pressure, diet, and tobacco. PTI ABU DR This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Piped natural gas supply inaugurated in 111 Delhi villages
New Delhi: Lieutenant governor V K Saxena and chief minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday inaugurated piped natural gas (PNG) supply by Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) to 111 villages. With this, the number of villages connected by PNG has gone up to 241. Saxena said the initiative was not merely a technical project, but a solid foundation for a cleaner future. "It not only connects rural areas with clean, safe and affordable energy, but also marks a significant step towards making Delhi an environmentally-friendly and sustainable capital. It resonates with the spirit of Delhi Gramoday Abhiyan, which aims to equip villages with urban-level infrastructure and ensure holistic and balanced development," he said. Calling it "A Flame of Trust", Gupta described the launch as a beacon of clean energy reaching the heart of rural Delhi. "It is the ignition of a new era — one that brings security, dignity and sustainable growth into every household," she said. With 130 villages already covered in Phase I and 111 more joining Thursday, CM pledged to connect the remaining 116 villages by the yearend. "Nobody thought there would be a 24-hour supply of piped gas. Urban areas had started getting access to piped gas supply, but it was not available in rural areas. It was on PM Narendra Modi's call that this was made possible. There are 116 villages still left, where piped natural gas will be made accessible by Dec-end," Gupta said. LG and CM also interacted virtually with PNG users across four villages of Delhi, apart from handing over PNG connections to 10 users physically on the occasion. Gupta later chaired a high-level review meeting with officials of the industries department. She said the discussion focused on the needs of traders and industrialists, the future prospects of industrial growth, and govt initiatives to elevate Delhi's status in the fields of trade and industry. Cabinet minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa was also present at the meeting. Following the meeting, CM announced the formation of a Trader Welfare Board to safeguard the interests of traders. The board will ensure swift redressal of issues faced by the business community, implement welfare schemes, and push for policy reforms that ease the process of doing business. The initiative will establish a robust support system for Delhi's traders and act as a bridge between govt and the trading community by conveying their suggestions and concerns directly to policymakers.
Indian Express
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Delhi L-G, CM inaugurate PNG supply to 111 villages
Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on Thursday inaugurated the Piped Natural Gas (PNG) supply by Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) to 111 villages in Delhi, taking the total number of villages connected by PNG to 241. The event was also attended by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. 'Today's launch of PNG supply to 111 villages is not merely a technical project, but a solid foundation for a cleaner and brighter future. This initiative not only connects rural areas with clean, safe, and affordable energy, but also marks a significant step towards making Delhi an environmentally friendly and sustainable Capital,' said Saxena. Saxena hit out at the previous government, accusing it of not ensuring facilities to villages and praised the BJP dispensation for being inclined towards the development of the Capital. 'The previous government did not have the will to ensure that facilities reach villages. Perhaps it was part of their politics. The ministers of this government are working 24X7 for people,' he said. This resonates with the spirit of the 'Delhi Gramoday Abhiyan', which aims to equip villages with urban-level infrastructure and ensure holistic and balanced development, he added. Calling it 'A Flame Of Trust,' Gupta described the launch as a beacon of clean energy reaching the heart of rural Delhi. 'This is not merely the inauguration of a facility, but the ignition of a new era — one that brings security, dignity, and sustainable growth into every household,' she said. With 130 villages already covered in Phase I, and 111 villages joining on Thursday, Gupta pledged to connect the remaining 116 villages by year-end.
The Hindu
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
111 Delhi villages get PNG connection; 116 more to be covered soon: CM
The Delhi government on Thursday extended the supply of piped natural gas (PNG) to 111 villages in the city. Lieutenant-Governor V.K. Saxena inaugurated the initiative, which took the total number of villages connected by PNG to 241. It was facilitated by Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL). The initiative is part of the BJP government's efforts to supply PNG to every village in the Capital. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had inaugurated a PNG facility in 41 villages under the Dilli Gramodaya Abhiyan in March 2024. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said it was not just the launch of a facility but the 'ignition of a new era that brings security, dignity, and sustainable growth to every household'. Power Minister Ashish Sood highlighted the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove smoke from all household kitchens. He said till 2022, about 30% of the villages still used conventional ways of energy, but this had changed now with the PNG initiative. 'A new chapter has been started with 111 villages,' he said. The L-G said the initiative resonates with the spirit of the Delhi Gramodaya Abhiyan, which aims to equip villages with urban-level infrastructure and ensure holistic and balanced development. He said it marks a major milestone in realising the vision of a Delhi free from polluted air and embracing clean and sustainable energy. The initiative to supply PNG is the second phase of IGL's mission to connect all of Delhi's villages with a reliable and eco-friendly fuel source. With 130 villages already covered in the first phase, and 111 villages now getting connections, the Chief Minister pledged to connect the remaining 116 villages by the year-end. 'From clean kitchens to cleaner air, this pipeline fuels more than just stoves — it fuels hope, health, and progress,' she said.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
IGL expands PNG supply to 111 more Delhi villages; total coverage reaches 241
New Delhi: Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) on Thursday extended piped natural gas (PNG) supply to 111 additional villages in Delhi, taking the total number of villages covered under its network to 241. With over 13,000 km of gas pipeline infrastructure in place, the expansion brings PNG access to over 72,000 families across the capital. The initiative was formally launched by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena , in the presence of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and senior officials from the Delhi government and IGL. The expansion is part of Phase II of IGL's mission to connect all 357 villages of Delhi with PNG by the end of 2025. 'Today's launch of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) supply to 111 villages of Delhi by IGL is not merely a technical project, but a solid foundation for a cleaner and brighter future,' Saxena said at the event. 'This initiative not only connects rural areas with clean, safe, and affordable energy, but also marks a significant step towards making Delhi an environmentally friendly and sustainable capital.' Saxena said the work aligns with the objectives of the Delhi Gramoday Abhiyan and reiterated government support for such infrastructure initiatives. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said, 'This is not merely the inauguration of a facility, but the ignition of a new era — one that brings security, dignity, and sustainable growth into every household.' Gupta added that the government would ensure the remaining 116 villages are connected by the end of the year. She said, 'Our approach isn't piecemeal. It's holistic, strategic, and focused on tomorrow.' She also announced the modernization of the Mahipalpur CNG station to improve operational efficiency. Kamal Kishore Chatiwal, Managing Director, IGL, said, 'While the global spotlight rightly shines on electric vehicles (EVs), it's imperative we acknowledge the pragmatic and complementary role of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) .' 'CNG remains one of the cleanest, most cost-effective, and immediately deployable alternatives to conventional fuels,' Chatiwal added. He highlighted its relevance for public transport , intra-city logistics, and long-distance mobility. 'EVs symbolize the future, but CNG is the bridge that will carry us there — especially in a country as diverse and dynamic as India,' he said. Director (Commercial) Mohit Bhatia said, 'This is more than just an inauguration; it's a celebration of commitment, collaboration, and clean energy for all. We stand here today, humbled and honoured, as over 72,000 families begin to experience the safety, reliability, and eco-benefits of PNG.' Bhatia said IGL remains committed to contributing towards the national goal of achieving a 15 per cent share of natural gas in India's energy mix by 2030.
