Gujarat's Green Leap: Leading the Nation in PNG Connections

Gujarat, under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, has significantly increased new and commercial PNG connections, boosting its contribution to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's net-zero carbon emissions target by 2070. The state has seen remarkable growth in natural gas usage, positioning itself as a leader in environmental sustainability.

Gujarat has been making significant strides towards achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the state is driving economic development through eco-friendly policies.

According to data from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Gujarat saw an increase of nearly 2 lakh domestic PNG connections between August 2023 and February 2024. The state recorded 3,078,162 domestic PNG connections on July 31, 2023, which increased to 3,253,175 by February 29, 2024. This 5.6% rise in seven months, with an addition of 1,75,013 new connections, signifies substantial progress in PNG usage.

Gujarat leads the nation in commercial and industrial PNG connections, boasting 23,445 commercial and 5,786 industrial connections. Other top states lag behind, with Uttar Pradesh and Haryana having fewer industrial connections, and Maharashtra and Delhi trailing in commercial PNG connections.

Gujarat's State Energy and Petrochemicals Minister, Kanubhai Desai, highlighted the transformative initiatives started by Prime Minister Modi during his tenure as Gujarat's CM, including the establishment of the Climate Change Department and a pioneering Solar policy. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has continued these efforts, leading to a dramatic increase in PNG connections in recent months.

With Gujarat also leading in commercial and industrial gas connections, the state demonstrates its commitment to achieving the Prime Minister's net-zero vision by 2070. The Public Undertaking, Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation-owned Gujarat Gas Limited (GGL), has expanded its network by 158% in the last decade, now covering 34,832 kilometers as of March 2024.

(With inputs from agencies.)