Hoteliers cry foul as permit delays hinder piped natural gas transition

PANAJI
While the State government is aiming to accelerate rollout of piped natural gas (PNG) connections to hotels and the tourism sector, the industry as well as gas agencies are crying foul over lack of support from local authorities, who are either delaying or denying permissions to lay the required infrastructure.

The issue has come to the fore despite recent efforts by the tourism department to push stakeholders towards cleaner and more reliable fuel alternatives amid an ongoing LPG shortage. At a high-level meeting held recently, hotel and shack operators were urged to register for PNG connections on priority.

However, stakeholders say the push is being undermined by ground-level bottlenecks.

President of the Goa Hotels and Restaurants Association, Gaurish Dhond, said the industry is willing to transition but is being held back by procedural delays. “There is a clear mismatch between policy and implementation. While we are being encouraged to adopt PNG, permissions to lay pipelines are not being granted,” he said.

According to industry representatives, the shortage of LPG cylinders has already forced several establishments to procure fuel from the open market at significantly higher rates, adding to operational costs. PNG is being seen as a long-term solution, but progress remains slow.

Sources in the tourism department confirmed that expansion of PNG networks is underway in key tourism hubs, including coastal and urban areas. However, pending approvals from agencies such as the Public Works Department, National Highways, local panchayats, and the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP), among others, have delayed execution.

Officials said gas agencies are prepared to undertake pipeline work and restore roads post-installation, but the absence of clearances has left projects in limbo.

The matter has also been taken up at the highest level, with the Chief Secretary reviewing the situation earlier this week and flagging lack of coordination among departments.

With LPG supplies under strain and pressure mounting to adopt cleaner fuel, stakeholders warn that unless permission hurdles are resolved urgently, the transition to PNG in Goa’s tourism sector could face prolonged delays.

Resistance from local authorities continues to be a major concern. Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate has raised objections to road excavation, citing risks to newly tarred roads, drainage systems, and public convenience. Similarly, Panaji Mayor Rohit Monserrate has maintained that the CCP is not in favour of digging up roads, especially those recently resurfaced. The standoff comes at a time when Goa Natural Gas Pvt Ltd is awaiting permission to lay pipelines across parts of Tiswadi, including Panaji and Taleigao.

The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has invoked provisions under the Essential Commodities Act to expedite City Gas Distribution projects and has urged states to fast-track approvals.