About 232 Geographical Areas (GAs) covering 407 districts spread over 27 states/UTs including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have been allowed for the development of City Gas Distribution (CGD) networks for promoting the use of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to households.  

Petroleum & Natural GAs Regulatory Board (PNGRB) identifies GAs for authorizing the development of CGD network in synchronization with the development of natural gas pipeline connectivity and natural gas availability.

PNGRB web hosted public notice dated 04.02.2020 wherein a tentative list of 44 identified GAs to be covered under upcoming 11th CGD bidding round has been prepared which include cities of Bihar, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.

"PNGRB is yet to authorize Gopalganj and Darbhanga districts of Bihar; Nanded, Hingoli and Yavatmal districts of Maharashtra for development of CGD network. However, Gopalganj, Darbhanga and Hingoli districts have been included in the tentative list of GAs under the proposed 11th CGD bidding round. Nanded and Yavatmal districts of Maharashtra will be covered for development of CGD network in future bidding rounds, based on the availability of natural gas pipeline/source and techno-commercial viability," says Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Rameswar Teli in a written reply in the Lok Sabha yesterday.