Patna: GAIL India has expanded its Piped Natural Gas (PNG) network across several parts of Patna, connecting 39,680 households to date. However, while pipeline infrastructure has reached many neighbourhoods, the pace of new domestic connections has yet to match the network’s expansion.
According to GAIL, the number of installation teams will be increased from 100 to 150 from August in an effort to reduce waiting times and clear pending applications.
Nearly 40,000 Homes Now Connected
According to GAIL’s latest figures, 39,680 households in Patna have been provided with PNG connections.
The utility said this marks a significant increase from the around 29,000 households connected in the first week of March, meaning more than 10,000 new homes have joined the network in recent months.
Officials said the expansion forms part of the city’s broader transition towards piped natural gas for domestic use.
Pipeline Network Reaches More Areas
GAIL said its pipeline now extends from Naubatpur to Gandhi Maidan, while another stretch reaches Kankarbagh through Anisabad, Gardanibagh and Mithapur.
According to the company, pipeline infrastructure has also been laid in several residential areas, including:
Jagdev Path
IGIMS
Gola Road
Danapur
Patel Nagar
CDA Colony
AG Colony
Kesri Nagar
Indrapuri
Pataliputra Colony
Pataliputra Industrial Area
Boring Road
Boring Canal Road
Kidwaipuri
Officials said domestic connections in these localities are being provided in phases.
More Teams to Accelerate Connections
GAIL General Manager A.K. Sinha said the company will increase the number of field teams to speed up household installations.
According to Sinha, around 100 teams are currently engaged in installation and related work each day. From August, that number will increase to 150 teams, including 50 additional teams, to help clear pending applications more quickly.
The company expects the move to improve the pace of domestic PNG connections across the city.
What PNG Means for Consumers
Once connected, households receive cooking gas directly through underground pipelines instead of relying on LPG cylinders.
According to GAIL, consumers no longer need to book or store LPG cylinders and are billed according to the quantity of gas used.
The company says the system is designed to provide a continuous gas supply, although residents in areas where pipelines have already been laid are still awaiting new connections.
What’s Next
With additional installation teams expected to begin work in August, GAIL aims to accelerate household connections in neighbourhoods where pipeline infrastructure is already in place.
The company said the focus over the coming months will be on reducing waiting times and expanding access to piped natural gas across Patna.
