Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar on Friday directed officials and gas companies to accelerate the expansion of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) infrastructure across the State, describing it s a key alternative to LPG for households and institutions.

Chairing a high-level review meeting at the Secretariat with representatives of PNG companies and senior officials from various departments, Mr. Manohar said the NDA government was committed to ensuring uninterrupted and affordable cooking gas access to the public.

Mr. Manohar said the government would extend full cooperation to the PNG companies by facilitating faster permissions for expansion work, particularly in the urban and semi-urban areas. He assured that issues related to land allotment for PNG filling stations would also be addressed on priority basis.

The Minister stressed the need for extensive awareness campaigns across all districts to encourage people to shift from LPG to PNG connections. He directed the companies to organise special outreach programmes and publicity drives, highlighting the safety, convenience and cost-saving benefits of PNG usage.

To address manpower requirements in the expanding PNG sector, the government planned to train youth in technical skills related to PNG operations through the Andhra Pradesh Skill Development Corporation. Students from ITIs, polytechnics and skill institutions would receive specialised training, accommodation, stipend and employment opportunities through partnerships with gas companies.

Mr. Manohar also announced plans to involve women self-help groups through SERP and MEPMA in promoting PNG adoption among households. Incentives and awareness programmes would be introduced to strengthen participation of women’s groups in the expansion process.

The Minister further said that all major temples conducting annadanam programmes would be mandated to adopt PNG. He said issues delaying PNG implementation at temples such as Kanaka Durga temple and Srikalahasteeswara temple would be resolved quickly.

Special guidelines were also being prepared to simplify PNG usage and subsidy benefits for tenants living in rented houses and apartments. The Minister said the government was working to ensure that PNG users continue receiving benefits under the Deepam-2 subsidy scheme.

Mr. Manohar warned that the performance of PNG companies would be reviewed again after 15 days and insisted that visible progress be achieved in expansion targets across Andhra Pradesh.

Transport Minister B.C. Janardhan Reddy participated in the meeting through video-conference.