Addressing the gathering at the inauguration of Indraprastha Gas Limited’s (IGL) new office in Nauroji Nagar, New Delhi, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, highlighted India’s remarkable progress in the energy sector over the past decade. He noted that LPG connections have surged from 140 million before 2014 to over 330 million today, the natural gas pipeline network has expanded from 14,000 km to more than 22,500 km, and India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing refining centers worldwide.
Alongside the office launch, Shri Puri also inaugurated a new Smart Gas Meter Manufacturing plant developed by IGL in collaboration with Genesis Gas Solutions. This facility is set to produce around one million meters annually, including smart and prepaid varieties, starting operations in October 2025. The initiative aims to boost India’s self-reliance in gas meter production and support IGL’s mission to offer customers modern, efficient, and affordable gas services.
Speaking about IGL’s accomplishments, the Minister pointed out the company’s efforts in extending piped natural gas connections to 250 villages in Delhi, bringing clean cooking fuel to over 100,000 rural households. He emphasized that this expansion not only builds infrastructure but also improves quality of life, reduces pollution, and helps bridge the gap between urban and rural areas.
Reflecting on India’s energy transformation, Shri Puri recalled that before 2014, many households struggled to access LPG cylinders. Today, LPG connections cover the entire country, and on the first day of Navratri, 2.5 million new connections were announced under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, bringing the total beneficiaries under the scheme to approximately 106 million.
The Minister praised IGL, established in 1998, as a significant force in the city gas distribution industry, supplying compressed natural gas (CNG) to vehicles and piped natural gas (PNG) to homes, industries, and businesses. IGL currently operates 956 CNG stations, representing nearly 12% of India’s total, has connected more than 3.07 million households with PNG, and supplies natural gas to thousands of industries and commercial establishments. The company delivers 9.3 million standard cubic meters per day of natural gas and refuels 2.2 million CNG vehicles daily.
Shri Puri also highlighted India’s expanding natural gas pipeline network and expressed optimism about recent discoveries in the Andaman region. He noted that exploration activities slowed between 2006 and 2016 due to global supply assumptions but affirmed that India’s geological potential remains strong, with new finds confirming this outlook.
He further pointed out that India is rapidly increasing its refining capabilities, currently ranked fourth globally and poised to move up to third place with continued growth. This development will enhance the country’s energy security, create jobs, support small and medium enterprises, and boost regional economies.
The Minister acknowledged IGL’s use of advanced technologies such as SAP-ERP, GIS, analytics, business intelligence dashboards, security and vehicle tracking, prepaid billing, chatbots, electronic billing, and automated meter reading. He said these innovations improve efficiency, strengthen operations, and elevate customer service standards in the city gas sector.
Looking ahead, Shri Puri spoke about India’s clean energy future, which will include a mix of biogas, LNG, hydrogen-enriched CNG, and electric vehicle infrastructure. He noted that IGL has already installed EV charging stations at 40 locations and plans to expand further. While electric and CNG vehicles will grow in popularity, he recognized that traditional fuels like petrol will continue to have a role in fast-developing areas like the National Capital Region. Concluding the event, Shri Puri congratulated IGL on its new office, calling it a symbol of the company’s innovation, expansion, and commitment to India’s transition toward cleaner energy.
