Odisha Cabinet Approves City Gas Distribution Policy to Boost PNG, CNG Infrastructure

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, on Tuesday approved the Odisha City Gas Distribution (CGD) Policy, paving the way for rapid expansion of piped natural gas (PNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) infrastructure across the state.

Announcing the decision, Chief Secretary Anu Garg said the new policy seeks to address long-standing challenges such as delays due to multi-agency approvals and the absence of a unified regulatory framework. The policy introduces streamlined processes to ensure faster implementation of CGD projects.

Officials said the framework is designed to simplify approvals, improve coordination among departments, and promote wider adoption of clean fuel alternatives. The initiative is expected to enhance urban energy access while supporting environmentally sustainable development.

According to Garg, the policy will facilitate timely execution of projects, ensure safe and reliable gas supply through better asset management, and enable coordination for compressed biogas (CBG) plant development under the Swachh Bharat Mission.

The Housing and Urban Development Department Odisha will serve as the nodal agency for implementation. A state-level high-powered committee and district-level monitoring committees will oversee progress and ensure effective coordination on the ground.