J&K Government Notifies City Gas Distribution Policy to Expand Clean Fuel Access

The policy, approved by the Council of Ministers, lays down an investor-friendly, time-bound framework to expand the availability of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for households, commercial establishments, industries and the transport sector.

Under the new framework, CGD coverage will extend to all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir. The policy provides for single-window, time-bound clearances, streamlined procedures for establishing CNG stations and standardised Right of Way (RoW) norms. The policy will also provide priority gas connectivity to major industrial estates, including those in Kathua, Samba and Pulwama.

Officials said the policy is expected to improve access to safer, cleaner and more affordable energy while helping reduce fuel costs and strengthen the competitiveness of industries in the region. It is also expected to encourage green investments and generate opportunities in employment, apprenticeships and skill development.

The Chief Minister's Office said the initiative would contribute to cleaner growth and sustainable development in Jammu and Kashmir. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah congratulated Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Satish Sharma and the department for the notification, describing it as an important step towards achieving these objectives.

The policy also establishes guidelines for CNG station infrastructure and provides standardised norms for Right of Way permissions, aimed at facilitating the development of the gas distribution network.

The broader CGD expansion is being supported by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) and envisages the development of a 325-km natural gas pipeline connecting the region with GAIL's Gurdaspur-Jammu network.

The initiative complements wider national efforts to improve access to cleaner and affordable cooking and transport fuels. Programmes such as the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and enforcement measures by the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas are focused on improving fuel affordability, preventing diversion and expanding access to LPG and PNG.

Announcing the policy on its official X handle, the Chief Minister's Office described it as “a major step towards expanding clean fuel access, accelerating industrial growth and modernising energy infrastructure across Jammu & Kashmir.”