In a bold move to tackle the energy crisis, the Odisha Housing and Urban Development Department has overhauled the approval process for Piped Natural Gas (PNG).
Additional Secretary Usha Padhi announced a streamlined directive aimed at fast-tracking City Gas Distribution (CGD) infrastructure across urban areas.
Key Reforms:
Zero Permit Fees: Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are now prohibited from charging permit fees for laying underground pipelines or CGD construction.
No Re-approvals: Ongoing or previously sanctioned projects no longer require fresh permissions, effectively ending administrative bottlenecks.
Relaxed Roadwork: CGD agencies can now dig and restore roads independently, provided they follow prescribed norms and bear all costs.
To ensure seamless execution, the Director of Municipal Administration has been appointed as the state nodal officer.
This policy—coordinated across Public Works, Water, and Power departments—is effective immediately until June 30, promising a rapid surge in clean energy connectivity for city residents.