Patna: Industrial units in the Fatuha Industrial Area are expected to receive piped natural gas (PNG) from next month, after a dedicated distribution station became operational and final safety checks entered their concluding phase.
Officials said the infrastructure project, which includes a pipeline network of around 15km laid across the industrial zone, is now technically complete, with last-mile connectivity and compliance procedures underway before commercial supply begins.
According to those involved in the project, the pipeline passes through multiple internal roads in the industrial area, allowing access to nearly all manufacturing units. Connections are now being prepared for rollout in phases, with priority to businesses that have already submitted applications.
A K Sinha, general manager at GAIL (India) Limited, said the pace of connection work had been accelerated following completion of the station. He said units would be brought onto the PNG network in a staggered manner once final testing and safety clearances were complete.
Sinha added that the transition was expected to offer industries a more efficient fuel source compared with existing arrangements, which largely depend on liquefied petroleum gas cylinders, diesel and coal. “The objective is to shift units towards a cleaner and more reliable fuel supply system,” he said.
Industry officials and planners say the introduction of piped gas is likely to reduce operational costs for factories while also cutting emissions linked to conventional fuels. PNG is widely promoted in industrial policy as a lower-carbon alternative, particularly for clusters that rely heavily on combustion-based energy sources.
Alongside industrial consumers, the project will also extend PNG connections to households within the industrial zone. Residents in the area currently depend on cylinder-based supply systems for cooking gas. Officials said the piped network would provide a continuous supply, reducing dependence on deliveries and associated logistical delays.
The distribution system is now undergoing final rounds of testing and safety compliance verification, a standard requirement before commercial activation. Once completed, connection work is expected to begin immediately, with phased rollout across industrial units and residential users.
Officials associated with the project said the system had been designed to integrate both commercial and domestic demand within the same network, allowing for broader coverage across the Fatuha industrial cluster.
