New Delhi, October 6, 2025: The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), India’s downstream regulator, celebrated its 19th Foundation Day at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi. Established under the PNGRB Act, 2006, the Board is responsible for regulating the refining, processing, storage, transportation, distribution, marketing, and sale of petroleum, petroleum products, and natural gas. It aims to safeguard consumer interests while fostering fair trade and competition within the energy sector.
Over nearly two decades, PNGRB has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s energy landscape. From laying the foundation of the country’s natural gas infrastructure to facilitating the expansion of City Gas Distribution (CGD) networks, PNGRB’s efforts have connected millions of households, industries, and transport consumers to cleaner and more affordable natural gas. Today, nearly the entire country has been authorized for CGD development under PNGRB’s regulatory framework.
Among its notable achievements are the expansion of the National Gas Grid, authorization of petroleum product pipelines, and facilitation of LNG terminal infrastructure. The implementation of a unified pipeline tariff has reduced regional disparities in gas transportation costs. The Board has also strengthened digital grievance redressal systems, introduced transparent dispute resolution mechanisms, and promoted competition through open bidding processes.
Driving India’s Energy Transition
Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission, attended the event as Guest of Honour. He commended PNGRB’s contribution to advancing India’s energy transition and competitiveness. “A transparent and competitive energy sector is vital for sustaining India’s growth and ensuring sustainability. PNGRB’s regulatory reforms in pipelines and LNG evacuation are instrumental in achieving these goals,” he remarked.
Minister’s Address
Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, lauded PNGRB’s role in driving India’s clean energy mission. He noted that the Board has been central to expanding the national gas infrastructure, with 1.55 crore households connected through piped natural gas and over 8,500 CNG stations operational across India. Out of the planned 35,000 km of gas pipelines, 24,500 km are already functional, forming a unified national gas grid.
The Minister underscored PNGRB’s focus on consumer safety, equitable pricing through the unified tariff system, and the need for further digitalization and transparency in the gas market. He also presented Excellence Awards to top-performing entities for outstanding contributions in infrastructure development, service quality, and innovation.
Recognizing Excellence and Innovation
Awards were presented in categories such as Best Performing CGD Entity, Best Performing NGPL Operator, Innovation & Sustainability, and Consumer Service Excellence. These accolades reaffirm PNGRB’s commitment to fostering innovation and performance in the energy sector.
Publications and Digital Initiatives
The event also saw the launch of several key publications and digital initiatives, including PNGRB Success Story – Bridging Energy Horizons, PNGRB Darpan (newsletter), and Compendium of Case Studies on Sustainability. New web applications were also unveiled to enhance consumer interface and infrastructure monitoring.
Future Outlook
In his closing remarks, Dr. Anil Kumar Jain, Chairperson, PNGRB, emphasized the Board’s continued focus on strengthening consumer protection, expanding infrastructure, and promoting sustainability and competition in the sector.
The event brought together senior officials, policymakers, and industry leaders, reflecting PNGRB’s central role in steering India toward a sustainable, transparent, and competitive energy future.