Pune CNG Network Faces Pressure as Demand Surges, Infrastructure Upgrade Underway
Pune's compressed natural gas (CNG) network is facing pressure due to rising demand, prompting a phased infrastructure upgrade across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The immediate focus is on Talegaon, where pipeline and supply-system interventions are expected to add capacity. Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited (MNGL) has identified pressure availability at some far-end parts of its network as a key operational constraint.
The company has indicated that the problem is localised rather than evidence of a city-wide shortage of CNG. A proposed 65-km steel trunk pipeline will connect the PIL East-West Pipeline network at Navhare with MNGL's Pune network towards Hadapsar, targeted for July 2027. This project is expected to add roughly 12 lakh SCMD of gas deliverability and create additional supply routes.
MNGL says the number of vehicles it serves across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad has risen from about 2.62 lakh to more than 6.2 lakh, while commissioned CNG stations have increased from 66 to 133. The immediate test will be reliability, as timely network reinforcement, transparent performance data, and better distribution planning will determine whether infrastructure growth translates into shorter waits and more dependable mobility.