The Jammu and Kashmir government has notified the City Gas Distribution (CGD) Policy, 2026, a new clean-fuel roadmap aimed at expanding access to piped natural gas (PNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) across all 20 districts of the Union Territory.
According to officials, the policy was approved by the Council of Ministers and notified on Thursday by the Omar Abdullah-led government. It provides what the government describes as an investor-friendly and time-bound framework for expanding natural gas use across households, commercial establishments, industries and the transport sector.
Key provisions of the policy include coverage across all 20 districts, single-window time-bound clearances for projects, a streamlined process for setting up CNG stations, and standardised Right of Way norms for infrastructure. Priority gas connectivity will be extended to major industrial estates, including those in Kathua, Samba and Pulwama.
Cleaner energy and industrial growth
According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the policy is expected to deliver safer, affordable and cleaner energy, reduce fuel costs, strengthen industrial competitiveness and attract green investments to the region. It is also expected to create new opportunities for employment, apprenticeships and skill development.
The Chief Minister congratulated the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Satish Sharma and his department on the notification, describing it as a significant step towards cleaner growth and sustainable development in Jammu and Kashmir.
The broader initiative, supported by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), includes a planned 325-kilometre natural gas pipeline that will connect the region to GAIL’s Gurdaspur-Jammu network, bringing the Union Territory into the national gas grid.
Officials said the policy sets out guidelines for the development of CGD infrastructure, with an emphasis on modernising energy supply systems and promoting industrial growth through reliable, lower-emission fuel options for both urban and rural areas.
Energy analysts note that the extension of city gas networks to all 20 districts could gradually reduce dependence on conventional cooking and transport fuels across the region, though the pace of implementation will depend on how quickly infrastructure, vendor availability and consumer connections are scaled up.
The government said the policy framework will also encourage private investment in the gas distribution sector by offering a clear and time-bound approval process, alongside support for local skilled workers through training and apprenticeship programmes linked to the rollout.