Odisha has initiated the process of drafting a comprehensive City Gas Distribution (CGD) Policy to strengthen urban infrastructure and promote clean energy adoption.
The Housing and Urban Development Department held a high-level consultative meeting at Kharabela Bhawan under the chairpersonship of Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee. The meeting, organised in collaboration with GAIL (India) Limited and IOCL, discussed a roadmap for expanding Piped Natural Gas (PNG) across the state.
Padhee emphasised that the policy will be aspirational yet practical, designed to accelerate infrastructure rollout and simplify processes. She said the framework will enhance access to clean, reliable energy while supporting sustainable urban development. The government aims to create a citizen-centric policy that improves service delivery and ease of living.
Discussions focused on streamlining permissions, rationalising license fees, introducing single-window clearance systems, and operationalising deemed approval mechanisms. The policy will also strengthen institutional coordination and service delivery systems to ensure smooth implementation.
Senior representatives from IOCL, GAIL, IDCO, and municipal bodies attended the meeting. Officials, including Arindam Dakua, Kirandeep Kaur Sahota, Nihar Ranjan Behera, Ratnakar Sahu, and Suvendu Kumar Sahoo, contributed inputs. The collective expertise is expected to shape a forward-looking policy aligned with Odisha’s vision for clean and sustainable urban energy solutions.
