‘Fastest-growing’ MNGL faces hurdle in ensuring last mile connectivity
Pune: Lack of last mile connectivity is a major issue plaguing the Pune-based Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited (MNGL), which has earned the tag of the fastest growing city gas distribution company from the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry. The company said it was receiving a majority of the complaints pertaining to non-provision of connection despite requests and lack of last mile connectivity, among others. Even in terms of CNG stations, the utility is still catching up with the demand even as it added 20 new CNG stations last year and plans to add 24 more this year. “In spite of best efforts, there are connections that are taking more than stipulated time due to reasons like statutory permissions awaited from land owning agencies and no digging permissions from authorities concerned, among others,” MNGL said in a public notice. MNGL officials said 3,096 connection requests were pending with the company. “There are challenges in terms of right of way, permissions and restoration charges. We have requested Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) to bring down the restoration charges in line with that of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). Also, an extended monsoon till mid-November has not helped us this year,” Supriyo Haldar, managing director, MNGL, said on Thursday. He added that the company aimed at providing 90,000 new piped gas connections in one year.
Even in defence areas, the utility is struggling to find a right of way. “If they (defence authorities) allow us, it will benefit all and we will also pay rent,” a senior MNGL official said.
There are at least a dozen places in the city where the area has been gasified but awaits last mile connectivity due to want of one or several of permissions. In terms of households, the Pune-based company has a coverage of less than 20%. As for CNG stations, the company is also looking to add 24 new units in the city in addition to the existing 79. About 2.50 lakh vehicles in the city run on CNG, translating into one station for over 3,100 vehicles. Yet there are queues at many a stations because of the time taken for a CNG refill works out to be more.
