In a move that may go against the Central government push for Piped Natural Gas (PNG) network across urban India, the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has reportedly opposed road digging for piped gas connection.
The CCP’s decision stems from concerns of repeated digging of roads for various underground utilities. However the initiative by the central government is part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on LPG cylinders and improve energy efficiency.
With potential constraints in LPG supply in the future, due to the ongoing war in West Asia, the urgency to roll out PNG infrastructure has only intensified. Delays in permissions for the project will only stall infrastructure development.
As the intermediary authority between the Centre and municipal bodies, the State Government has both the responsibility and the leverage to facilitate coordination.
The current impasse is more likely to result in delays rather than outright exclusion. This can lead to cost escalation. What this situation underscores is a lack of integrated planning.
Roads in Goa are often dug up multiple times by different agencies. The goal should not be to choose between good roads and piped gas but to ensure that both coexist through better governance and smart planning.
