Puducherry Gets Piped Up: Natural Gas Arriving August 15!

Puducherry is set to begin piped natural gas (PNG) supply to industrial consumers from August 15, with phased expansion to domestic and commercial segments to follow.

The project, implemented by East Coast Natural Gas Distribution, has completed an 18-km main pipeline from Sorapet to Mettupalayam. “We aim to energise the pipeline by August 15,” said A. Magendiran, Assistant Vice President of the company. Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) will supply the gas and is currently awaiting final clearance from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO). “Commissioning will begin immediately once the clearance is received,” Magendiran added.

In the initial phase, PNG supply will begin with a single industrial consumer in Mettupalayam to assess system performance and establish baseline pricing.

Work is also progressing on the urban pipeline network for domestic consumers, although certain sections are delayed due to pending approvals. Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan has urged concerned departments to expedite the clearance process. An additional 14 km of pipeline is expected to be laid by the end of the financial year, targeting 8,000 to 10,000 consumers in 2025, with plans to scale up to 25,000 connections over time.

To encourage adoption, the Puducherry government has reduced VAT on domestic PNG from 14.5% to 5%, and to 7.5% for commercial and industrial users, effective April 1, 2025.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.