Key Points
- Eight Army stations sign agreements with six city gas distributors covering 20,000 households
- 41 Army establishments identified for first-phase piped natural gas conversion by March 2027
- Initiative launches ahead of PNG Drive 3.0 national rollout from 1 October 2026
The Indian Army has signed agreements with six city gas distribution companies to supply piped natural gas to 41 military establishments covering more than 20,000 households, marking a significant push towards cleaner energy adoption across defence installations.
Eight Army stations signed Letters of Understanding with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL), Think Gas, Torrent Gas, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and Central U.P. Gas Limited (CUGL) at a webinar organised on Thursday (3 September) at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.
The programme, themed ‘Sena Sampark – Nirantar Urja, Nirantar Suraksha’, was organised by BPCL in association with the Indian Army and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB). The regulatory body oversees the city gas distribution industry, which supplies PNG, a piped form of natural gas delivered directly to homes and establishments, replacing traditional LPG cylinders.
Indian Army PNG transition
Under the first phase, 12 Army establishments are already participating in the transition, with another 29 being taken up. The Army and participating gas distributors have committed to completing PNG infrastructure and connections for all 41 establishments by the end of financial year 2026-27.
“The transition of Army establishments to PNG is an important step towards building a reliable, continuous and future-ready energy ecosystem for critical establishments,” said Rahul Tandon, business head, gas, BPCL. “BPCL is committed to facilitating this collective effort and supporting the Army through the transition journey.”
The initiative will focus on streamlining the transition through coordinated planning across network readiness, statutory permissions, regulatory requirements, infrastructure development, retrofitting and customer service. A PNG Handbook was also released during the programme as a reference guide for Army establishments undertaking the transition.
City gas distribution, commonly referred to as CGD, is a network of pipelines that delivers natural gas to residential, commercial and industrial consumers. PNG connections eliminate the need for cylinder deliveries and provide a continuous fuel supply through underground pipelines.
PNG Drive 3.0
The Army’s initiative comes ahead of the launch of PNG Drive 3.0, a national programme to expand piped gas adoption across the country, scheduled to begin on 1 October 2026. The drive aims to accelerate PNG connections in residential and commercial establishments nationwide.
The six participating gas distributors bring together both public sector companies and private operators. BPCL and HPCL are state-owned oil marketing companies with established gas distribution networks, while IGL operates primarily in the Delhi region. Think Gas, Torrent Gas and CUGL operate in various parts of northern and western India.
By the numbers
- 41
- Army establishments for PNG conversion
- 20,000+
- households covered under agreements
- 6
- city gas distributors participating
The collaboration establishes a framework for wider PNG adoption across Army establishments beyond the initial 41 identified for the first phase. The signed agreements provide for coordinated planning between military authorities and gas distributors to address infrastructure requirements specific to defence installations.
PNGRB, the regulatory body participating in the initiative, is responsible for authorising city gas distribution networks and setting quality and safety standards for natural gas supply. The board’s involvement ensures that the transition adheres to regulatory requirements for gas infrastructure in sensitive defence areas.
Your Questions, Answered
How many Army establishments will get piped natural gas connections?
41 Army establishments have been identified for the first phase of PNG conversion, with 12 already participating and 29 being taken up. The target is to complete connections by March 2027.
Which companies are supplying PNG to Army establishments?
Six city gas distribution companies have signed agreements: BPCL, Indraprastha Gas Limited, Think Gas, Torrent Gas, HPCL and Central U.P. Gas Limited.
How many Army households will benefit from the PNG transition?
More than 20,000 households across eight Army stations are covered under the Letters of Understanding signed between the Army and gas distributors.
When will PNG Drive 3.0 launch in India?
PNG Drive 3.0, a national programme to expand piped gas adoption across India, is scheduled to launch on 1 October 2026.
