The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has given 8.5 months of extra time to the city gas distribution (CGD) companies to meet their city gas project rollout commitments that had been impacted by Covid-19 lockdowns. PNGRB issued an order to grant more time to 41 city gas entities to complete their rollout commitment on November 5, 2020. The extra time granted varies from 129 days to 251 days across different geographical areas (GAs) depending on the duration of the lockdown imposed.
The extra time has been given to make up for 69 days of the national lockdown imposed to curb the spread of the pandemic and additional restrictions imposed in states. Further, it also includes a restoration period of 60 days. PNGRB has listed the pandemic as a condition for force majeure that entitles entities for extra time. It has granted extra time to companies such as such as GAIL (India) Limited, Adani Gas Limited, Indian Oil Corporation, Gujarat Gas Limited, Torrent Gas, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Indraprastha Gas Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited.
In all, PNGRB has provided extensions to 41 CGD entities in respect of 185 GAs that have been considered eligible for force majeure extension on account of the pandemic. The regulator has given out licences to retail compressed natural gas and piped natural gas in 230 GAs across the country.